The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives.

Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply.

The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.

“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services said. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed to give as soon as possible.”

How to Help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross has added more than 25,000 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors.

Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

 July 12-25

7/12/2017: 2-7 p.m., Brooklet United Methodist Church, 201 Parker Ave.           Brooklet

7/12/2017: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Recreation, 1 Max Lockwood Drive           Statesboro

7/12/2017: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Savannah Morning News, 1375 Chatham Parkway    Savannah

7/12/2017: 12:45-7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.      Savannah

7/13/2017: 12:45-7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.      Savannah

7/13/2017: 12-6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 240 West Main St.                Swainsboro

7/13/2017: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Cail Recreation Center, 320 Millen Road    Sylvania

7/14/2017: 1-6 p.m., Sea Island Bank, 2 East Main St.                Statesboro

7/14/2017: 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.               Savannah

7/14/2017: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Hilton Head Honda, 161 Fording Island Road            Bluffton

7/15/2017: 7:45 a.m.- 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.              Savannah

7/17/2017: 1-6 p.m., Metter Community Center, 435 N. Rountree St.   Metter

7/17/2017: 12:45-7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.      Savannah

7/18/2017: 12:45-7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.      Savannah

7/18/2017: 2-7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Springfield, 1435 Highway 119 North      Springfield

7/18/2017: 2-7 p.m., Hazlehurst First Baptist Church, 30 N Tallahassee St.          Hazlehurst

7/18/2017: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun City, 114 Sun City Lane              Bluffton

7/19/2017: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.    Savannah

7/19/2017: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Southeastern Technical College - Swainsboro Campus Building #1, 346 Kite Road                Swainsboro

7/19/2017: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Newman Gym, 439 Bundy Ave.     Fort Stewart

7/19/2017: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wayne Memorial Hospital, 865 South First St.          Jesup

7/20/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bulloch County Park & Recreation, 1 Max Lockwood Drive    Statesboro