The American Red Cross in Goshen has been experiencing a blood shortage over the summer, so we wanted to show you how easy it is to donate.

“There’s been a lot of crisis throughout the United States. When we are in a shortage, we have to give our blood over to other areas,” said Pam Coleman, the Apheresis Team Lead at American Red Cross in Goshen.

The American Red Cross is urging the community to help donate blood to one of their centers.

“Desperately needing a bunch of people to come in and donate whole blood and platelets,” said Coleman.

Now it’s such a quick and simple process that I decided to donate blood and show you myself.

I began by reading a required packet of information. This lets you know if you are qualified to donate that day.

After that, you’ll be asked to answer a few questions related to donating blood.

Then, you’re in the chair. The donation itself only took me about 8 minutes and most of it was spent relaxing.

“We try to make it a relaxed environment. It’s only for a short time and it’s a small poke and doesn’t last for very long,” said Coleman.

The entire process took just 30-40 minutes from the time I entered to the time I left.

According to the American Red Cross, your donation can help save at least one other person’s life.

To set up an appointment to donate blood just download their app or visit them at redcrossblood.org.