The American Red Cross is offering cash to get people to roll up their sleeves.

During blood drives slated Friday and Monday, the Red Cross will hold a drawing for a $500 gift card for those who registered to donate blood.

Red Cross officials say the upcoming drives are important to ensure an uninterrupted flow of blood for people in need through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

''Strong donor turnout on Black Friday and Nov. 30 is essential since we do not hold blood drives on Thanksgiving and hold relatively few blood drives on weekends,'' said Lisa Hart, senior donor recruitment director, in a news release. ''Yet, patient demand continues, and increased holiday travel increases the potential for accidents and emergency blood transfusions.''

Local blood drives include:

• St. Clairsville, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Ohio Valley Mall

• Wheeling, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Ohio Valley Medical Center, 2000 Eoff St.

• Wintersville, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, ARC Blood Donation Center, 81 Talbott Drive

• Woodsfield, noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Moose Lodge, 972 Eastern Ave., Ohio 78

• Parkersburg, noon to 6 p.m. Monday, ARC Blood Donor Center, 3210 Dudley Ave.

• Wheeling, noon to 6 p.m. Monday, OVMC, 2000 Eoff St.

• Wintersville, noon to 6 p.m. Monday, ARC Blood Donor Center, 81 Talbott Drive

Marianne Spampinato, ARC Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region spokeswoman, noted the gift card winner will get to choose what type of gift card they want.

''This will be the largest one-day drawing we've ever had. It's perfect timing with people making their lists and checking them twice,'' Spampinato said of people doing holiday shopping.

According to the ARC, all blood types are needed, but type O negative is hovering at or below a two-day supply.