The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood donations, citing a shortage caused by a drop in donors and drives during the Indepedence Day holiday week.
Rodney Wilson at the central Ohio chapter says traumatic injuries increase during the summer, increasing the need for hospitals to have adequate supplies.
An estimated 550 fewer blood drives were held nationally last week than during an average week, resulting in 15 thousand fewer donations. Wilson also says donations are down because high schools and colleges are closed for summer. They account for 20 percent of all blood donations. To donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org.
