The American Red Cross is urging donors to help the national blood supply recover following a severe shortage in February and empower their health by making an appointment to give blood or platelets.

It is a tradition going back to the days of World War II as a call to action to address humanitarian needs during wartime.

Some teenagers dream of getting a driver's license, buying a cheap car and spending late nights out with friends. But when he was young, Ryan Dolce hoped to one day give blood. At the time, the now-30 ...