When was the last time you donated blood? If you can't remember, or have never donated, NOW is the time since the need is "severe" according to the American Red Cross. What that means is that hospital demand for blood supplies is greater than the donations coming in right now and if you think you've been hearing this for a while now, you have. It's simple. Not enough people are rolling up their sleeves to give the gift of life since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have type O blood, the universal blood type then your blood is in high demand. The American Red Cross has been offering different incentives to get people to donate. Right now, during the month of July, those who donate will go into a drawing for a chance to win a Shark Week merchandise package which includes a beach bike, smokeless portable fire pit, paddleboard, kayak, and a $500 gift card to put toward accessories. During the week of July 21-24, blood donors will receive a Shark Week T-shirt while supplies last. Learn more about these promotions from the American Red Cross here.

Keep in mind that according to Oneblood.org, each blood donation has the potential of saving up to 3 lives! There's no greater gift to give than the gift of life!

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Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets online at redcrossblood.org, by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

12 Upstate New York Homes For Sale That Will Blow Your Mind!

Today, with virtually every real estate listing featured somewhere online, "house brewing" is fun and easy to do. We make it even easier for you with this list of 12 amazing real estate listings that will have you dreaming! They are all homes, except the last one. Check that one out. Talk about small town wonderfulness!

Upstate New York Road Trip: Spotlight on Broome County!

We continue with our series of county spotlights with a closer look at Broome County. The county has a population of about 200,000 residents, with a quarter of them (50,000) living in and around the county seat of Binghamton. Home to fine schools including the State University of New York at Binghamton, one of the system's four university centers.

The county has many small town and villages as well as the larger cities of Binghamton, Vestal, Johnson City, Endicott, and Endwell. These smaller places include Chenango Bridge, Windsor, Deposit, Harpursville, Whitney Point (home of the Broome County Fair), and others. The county covers over 700 square miles.

Here is a list of 21 things to do and see to make your trip to beautiful Broome County enjoyable.

These Popular State Parks In Central New York All Offer Something Different

As a long-time Upstate New York resident who loves to enjoy the great outdoors, there is one thing I know - there is NO shortage of state parks in New York, and where I live in Oneonta, there are as many as 7 state parks to enjoy nearby within the counties of Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego. See for yourself below.

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