One thing to give this holiday season without the need to spend a single dollar is blood. It can’t be manufactured, but people can donate it year-round at blood drives all across Lake County. Carolyn Lanni took advantage of one hosted at the Annunciation Episcopal Church in Gurnee on Dec. 1. The Mundelein woman was one of about 40 people who showed up to give the lifesaving liquid, although not all were able to due to safety restrictions that included having low hemoglobin levels at the time of donation. Bags of blood are labeled before being stored in coolers to be transported to American Red Cross centers, and then delivered to hospitals across the nation. (Yadira Sanchez Olson/For the Lake County News-Sun) After her pregnancies, Lanni said she realized needles didn’t bother her and she decided she’d start donating blood. She said she hopes to encourage her children to do the same when they get older. “It feels good to give something so basic,” she said. The American Red Cross has a user-friendly website that shows where blood drives are located by entering a ZIP code. Regional communications manager for the American Red Cross of Illinois Mara Thompson said the website is a good place to learn about the donation requirements, how to register and schedule an appointment. While blood drive locations are always held at convenient places such as libraries, community centers and malls, Thompson said this time of year getting donations is challenging as there is a dip in attendance due to poor weather, the busyness of holidays, vacations and people getting sick. The need for blood is great, though, and the organization is hoping people will think of giving the gift of blood. “Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood,” Thompson said. “It could be you or a loved one.” From trauma accidents, to childbirth, to cancer treatments, blood is used for various medical procedures and hospitals need to have an adequate supply on hand, but only 3% of people donate, she said. Rita LeBeau of Beach Park donates a pint of blood during a blood drive in Gurnee. (Yadira Sanchez Olson/For the Lake County News-Sun) Retired nurse Maura Hopkins has seen first-hand how even a single unit of blood can make the difference between life and death. The Green Oaks resident said she has been a proud donor for 30 years. “It’s not complicated,” she said. “It only takes one time to figure out it’s no big deal to you, but a big deal to others.” And many can help because all types of blood are needed. Donor diversity is essential, as certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. According to the Red Cross’s website, for a small percentage of the population finding someone else with the same blood type can be as difficult as looking for a needle in a haystack. The website states that before the discovery of blood types in 1901, people received blood transfusions regardless of blood type, which caused many deaths due to incompatibilities. Thompson said research and safeguards have come a long way since then, and donating is a safe procedure that usually takes less than an hour. “Our screening process ensures rigorous safety while fostering an inclusive and respectful experience for all donors,” she said. Once a donor registers with the Red Cross, a record allows for subsequent donations to be made easier, and a phone application lets donors know at which hospital their donation was delivered. Thompson said 40% of the nation’s blood is donated through the American Red Cross, which is the nation’s biggest supplier of blood. Upcoming Lake County blood drives include: *Dec. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Court, Vernon Hills. *Dec. 17, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Advocate Condell Centre Club Libertyville, 200 W. Golf Road, Libertyville. *Dec. 18, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Advocate Condell Centre Club Gurnee, 1405 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee. *Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; St Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. *Dec. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Living Waters Assembly of God, 525 N Atkinson Road, Grayslake. *Dec. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; VFW Post 4551, 75 North Ave., Antioch.