If the weather has been a hindrance to your daily (or weekly) routine, think about what it has meant to organizations dependent upon the help of others to fulfill their missions. For the American Red Cross, January can be a difficult month. Weather is a factor, yes, but so is the active cold and flu season, which may make it harder for some to keep blood donation appointments or be eligible to donate.

“The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations,” the Red Cross said in a news release this week.

As part of its effort to combat the reduction in blood donations this time of year, January is National Blood Donor Month, and provides an opportunity for the Red Cross to team up with the National Football League to give those who donate by Jan. 26 an automatic entry for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX trip and giveaway.

Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley, said multiple drives have been cancelled in the region over the last few days. But plenty of chances are upcoming.

Local opportunities to give blood include: from noon to 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Wingate Hotel, 1502 Grand Central Ave., Vienna; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Memorial Health System Belpre Medical Campus, 807 Farson St., Belpre; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 17 and 24 at the Parkersburg Blood Donation Center, 3210 Dudley Ave.; and 1-6 p.m. Jan. 21 at Grand Central Mall in Vienna.

Red Cross officials note those with Type O negative blood and those giving platelets are especially needed right now.

The Super Bowl is nice. But there are more important reasons to give. Choose your blood drive, bundle up and head out to roll up your sleeves knowing you are helping someone — and maybe even saving a life.