UTICA — Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy, will host a blood drive on Monday, Aug. 8, in partnership with the American Red Cross to help combat the ongoing blood shortage both locally and nationally.

The blood drive will take place in the conference room at the State Office Building, 207 Genesee St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Blood donations help patients of all ages, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients and those battling cancer and blood disorders, according to the Red Cross.

To schedule an appointment, residents are encouraged to call the American Red Cross at 315-733-4666 or visit redcrossblood.org and use code UticaState. You must be 16 years old or older to donate – 16-year-olds must provide a signed parental permission form – and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors must not have donated blood within the last 56 days and must be in good health.

First-time donors are welcome, the announcement added.