With many regular donors delaying giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school, the American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donations to help end a summer blood shortage. While thousands of donors have rolled up a sleeve this summer, blood and platelet donations aren’t keeping pace with patient needs. More donations are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply and be prepared for patient emergencies.

Make an appointment to donate blood now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting red-cross-blood.org or calling 1-800-Red Cross.