Hispanic individuals have a special gift to give. As America's largest growing ethnic group, about 60 percent of Hispanics have type O blood.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean are celebrated. At the same time, the American Red Cross hopes to raise awareness of the need for type O blood donors and donors with diverse backgrounds.

"By far, Hispanics are the single largest group of people with type O blood," said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. "That represents a tremendous opportunity for this group of individuals to help build a safe and adequate blood supply for their family, friends and communities."

Hospitals use type O negative blood in most emergency trauma cases when there is not enough time to determine a patient's blood type. And while type O negative can be safely transfused to anyone, type O positive blood can be transfused to patients with positive blood types - or about 80 percent of the population. While all blood types are needed, Red Cross officials say there is a continuing need for donations from type O donors.

"In fact, more than half of all blood supplied to hospitals is type O," said Whitman. "As our Hispanic population increases, so will the need for type O blood. We simply need more people of diverse backgrounds to become blood donors today."

To help the cause, stop by a blood drive in your community and donate blood. Here is a list of upcoming blood drives in Lake County:

1 to 6 p.m. Monday at St. John Township Community Center, 1515 U.S. 30 in Schererville.

2 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Knights of Columbus Marian Council 3840 Hall , 13039 U.S. 41 in Cedar Lake.

10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Hammond Area Career Center in the PDC Room, 5727 Sohl Ave. in Hammond. Call (219) 933-2428, ext. 2033 to schedule a blood donation appointment.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Northwest Indiana Community Action, 5240 Fountain Drive in Crown Point. All presenting donors will receive a T-shirt. Call (219) 794-1829, ext. 2311 to schedule an appointment.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Bethel Church in the Children's Wing, 10202 Broadway in Crown Point. Call (219) 663-9200 to schedule an appointment.

9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Cardinal Fitness, 8560 E. Ridge Road in Hobart. Call (219) 962-3461 to schedule an appointment.

12:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at First Baptist Church in Building Q, 523 E. Sibley in Hammond. Call (219) 932-0711 to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will have the opportunity to enter into a drawing for one of six, $25 dollar shopping sprees.

2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Hobart Parks Annex Building, 18 E. Old Ridge Road in Hobart.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29 at Clark High School in the auditorium, 1921 Davis Avenue in Whiting. This blood drive is sponsored by the Student Council.

1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Calumet College of St. Joseph - Room 200, 2400 New York Ave. in Whiting. All presenting donors will have the opportunity to enter into a drawing for a $50 gasoline gift card. Call (219) 473-4303 or e-mail nzivanovic@ccsj.edu to schedule an appointment.

1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at St. Matthias Church in the Fellowship Hall, 101 Burrell Drive in Crown Point.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at Lowell Public Library, 1505 Commercial Ave. in Lowell. This blood drive is cosponsored by the library and Zeta Chi chapter of Tri Kappa.

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the cafeteria, 8601 Harrison St. in Munster.

2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Church of the Four Seasons in the Welcome Center, 9100 E. 109th Ave. in Crown Point.

1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Highland Parks & Recreation's Lincoln Community Center in Classrooms 16 & 18, in Highland.

3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Indiana Wesleyan University, 8415 Georgia St. in Merrillville. Call (219) 769-5101 to schedule an appointment.

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall, 218 S. Court St. in Crown Point. Call (219) 663-2255 to schedule an appointment.

1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at VFW Post 717, 10400 West 93rd Ave. in St. John.

1:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at First Baptist Church, 1309 Central Ave. in Lake Station. Call (219) 962-1691 to schedule an appointment.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Brown Mackie College, 1000 E. 80th Place in Merrillville. Call (219) 381-2240 to schedule an appointment.

How to Donate Blood

Individuals who are at least 17 years old (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds based on height and are in general good health may be eligible to donate blood. Red Cross donor card or positive ID is required. Call (800) 448-3543 or log on IndianaOhioRedCross.org for more information.