Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

The Eastern New York Region of the American Red Cross is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March.

One-third of the population lacks access to regular primary care in the U.S., where diabetes affects 1 in 10 people; nearly a quarter of those living with it are undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The free A1C screening aims to help address this gap by empowering blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health. This new offering is among the longtime work of the Red Cross to support the health of communities, which also includes disaster relief efforts such as basic disaster health and mental health services and other assistance.

To book a time to give in March readers may visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by e-mail. See \[redcrossblood.org/March for]\(http://redcrossblood.org/March for) details.