Two ways to give The Perfect Gift

With all the holiday circulars and half off sales, what are we really saving? Shouldn't it be something more than money? What if we could save a life?

You can give the perfect gift this holiday season by donating blood or platelets and encouraging others to do the same. Help spread the word about giving the perfect gift by sharing this video with family and friends.

And, in this season of hope, there's one gift you can always count on to save the day. When the next disaster strikes. When a neighbor's house burns down. If someone needs lifesaving blood or the comfort of a helping hand. Hope. It's the financial gift you give to the American Red Cross. Give the gift that saves the day today.

Support your veterans on November 11

The American Red Cross has a long history of serving those who serve our nation. In the mid-1800s, Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, risked her life on Civil War battlefields to tend to fallen soldiers.

Today, the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces offers resources for deployed service members and their families, provides emergency communications and supports hospital outreach and veterans programs.

This Veteran's Day, November 11, you can honor military personnel and veterans by making an appointment to give blood or platelets.

At the same time, participants in the Red Cross Racing program can donate their Donor Rewards points back to the Red Cross. For each point donated, a contribution will be made to the Service to the Armed Forces.

Get connected!

Looking for ways to keep up-to-date on the latest Red Cross news? You don't need to go any further than your mobile device or computer. Become a fan today of the American Red Cross Blood Donors page on Facebook and follow the Red Cross on Twitter!

On Facebook, you can find blood drives in your area, share why you donate blood or platelets and even find out the next time you are eligible to give blood with the Give Blood Countdown application!

With Twitter, you can get real-time information from your local Red Cross, including upcoming promotions, special event blood drives and fun facts.

If you're not currently connected, create a Facebook or Twitter profile today.

Stay healthy during cold and flu season

Having the flu can be miserable and inconvenient. You have a fever, your head and body ache, and you are nauseous. Each year in the United States, almost 40,000 people are killed by the influenza virus and another 200,000 are hospitalized.

Take steps to keep yourself healthy this cold and flu season by getting vaccinated, washing your hands frequently and exercising cough and sneeze etiquette. The CDC has other suggestions for how you can keep yourself, your family and your co-workers healthy this winter. Check out informational videos here.

During flu season, there may also be fewer healthy individuals eligible to give blood, which can impact the blood supply. But you can help the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply throughout the winter flu season by making an appointment to give blood or platelets while you are healthy.