Busy holiday schedules make it difficult for the American Red Cross to collect enough blood to meet patients' needs.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients, but the American Red Cross has a critical need for type O negative, which is used in emergencies when there isn't time to determine blood type.

“There's always a big need this time of year. People don't donate as much around the holidays,” said Mary Rogers, executive director of the American Red Cross West Central Pennsylvania chapter, which includes Butler County.

The American Red Cross helps make donating blood or platelets easy and links donors with blood drives in their areas through its online RapidPass — and is offering a little incentive to donors.

RapidPass lets donors complete their predonation reading and health history questionnaire online on the day of their donation before arriving at the blood drive. RapidPass and blood drive information are available at www.redcrossblood.org. People who use the website's preregistration process can complete their donation in about an hour.

People who donate blood or platelets by Dec. 18 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email from the American Red Cross.

“This is a busy time of year with travel, schools out, preparing for family — you just have a lot on your plate and you don't think about donating blood, but patients don't get a break during the holiday season,” said Regina Booth Bratton, external communications director for the American Red Cross. “Our inventory is low.”

Needed surgeries and blood transfusions “have to happen” even during the holidays, Booth Bratton said, adding that someone in the country needs blood or a blood product every two or three seconds.

The Red Cross encourages businesses, community leaders, churches, Scout troops and other groups to organize blood drives, and said a diversity of blood is needed.

Booth Bratton said she knows of a case in which an adopted Asian child with a rare blood disorder needs blood with a specific marker that is prevalent in the Asian community.

“Specific marker, chronic diseases — the more exact match the better. That's why diversity in the blood supply is needed. We need everyone,” she said.

Rogers said local volunteers help out at blood drives.

“We have volunteers (who) work with the blood drives. We try to help get them through the door,” she said.