October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Santa Clarita Valley residents are being encouraged by Red Cross officials to donate blood for the cause.

Anna Gwinnup, a wife, mother and grandmother, was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in September 2017. Within weeks, it advanced to Stage 2, forcing her to undergo a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, which required blood products, according to the American Red Cross.

“I want to raise awareness about the need for blood to treat cancer,” she said.

Cancer patients may need red blood cell or platelet transfusions during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications, according to the organization.

Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients this season, especially after Hurricane Florence and subsequent flooding forced the cancellation of more than 6,000 blood and platelet donations last month, said the organization in a statement.

Related: Santa Clarita Mother Battles Cancer For The Fourth Time (VIDEO)

Those who donate blood or platelets in October are set to be automatically entered to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, according to officials.   

Throughout the month there will be different locations for Santa Clarita residents to donate blood.

Below are the dates, times and locations where the American Red Cross is scheduled to have a blood drive.

• Santa Clarita Old West Masonic Lodge, located at 19310 Avenue of the Oaks:
  • Oct. 17 and 24 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Oct 31 from 10 a.m. to 4  p.m.

• College of the Canyons (Valencia Campus), located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road:
  • Oct. 23 and 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Best Buy, located at 26531 Bouquet Canyon Road:
  • Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donors are able to make appointments to donate blood by clicking here or by calling 1-800-733-2767.

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