The need for blood doesn’t stop for holidays.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than one million blood transfusions will be given in the United States, according to the American Red Cross. Donations of all blood types are needed to ensure hospital shelves remain stocked to meet patient blood needs.

In recognition of this need, Gloucester will hold two blood drives in the coming weeks. The first will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at the Gloucester Moose Lodge, located off Route 17 south of Gloucester Court House. On Monday, Jan. 4, a second drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital.

Blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual has developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronav...