SOUTHERN UTAH — The American Red Cross is asking blood donors to help combat a summer shortage by making an appointment to roll up a sleeve and help save a life with a blood donation.

“Vacations and other summer activities often conflict with donation appointments for regular blood donors, which makes summer a very difficult time to collect blood donations,” Tricia Quinn, CEO of Southwest Blood Services Region, said. “A blood donation now can help sustain an adequate blood supply this summer.”

With blood donation appointments currently lower than what is needed to maintain a sufficient blood supply, donors of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now, especially those with types O-negative, B-negative and A-negative.

The Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients across the country. This can be challenging during the summer months of June, July and August, when an average of two fewer donors than needed schedule appointments to give blood at each Red Cross blood drive. This seasonal challenge can be overcome if just two more donors will make appointments and give blood at each Red Cross blood drive for the rest of the summer.

The need for blood is constant, according to a press release from the American Red Cross. Donated blood is perishable; red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days, so they must constantly be replenished. There is no substitute for donated blood.

Upcoming local blood drives:

• Cedar City
  • July 25, noon-5 p.m., Cedar City Library, 303 N. 100 East
• Hurricane
  • July 11, 8 a.m.-noon, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, 750 S. 5400 West
• Kanab
  • July 18, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Kanab City Library, 374 N. Main St.
  • July 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road
• Moab
  • July 28, 1-6 p.m., Moab Education Center – USU, 125 W. 200 South
  • July 29, noon-5 p.m., Moab Regional Hospital, 450 W. Williams Way
• Santa Clara
  • July 31, 2-7 p.m., Rachel Drive Chapel, 3185 W. Rachel Drive
• St. George
  • July 14, 12:30-5:30 p.m., LDS Stake Center, 1130 E. Brigham Road
  • July 15, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Wells Fargo Bank, 1 S. Main St.
  • July 16, 2-6 p.m., Echelon Healing Arts, 169 W. 2710 South Circle, Suite 201
  • July 16, 2-7 p.m., Rustic Drive Chapel, 1905 E. Rustic Drive
  • July 17, 2-7 p.m., St. George Utah Green Valley LDS Stake Center, 511 South Valley View Drive
  • July 21, noon-4 p.m., Costco, 835 N. 3050 East
  • July 21, 1-6 p.m., St. George Blood Donation Center, 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B-6
  • July 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., The Spectrum, 275 E. St. George Blvd.
  • July 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Harmons, 1189 E. 700 South
  • July 30, 2-7 p.m., St. George Pine View LDS Stake Center, 595 N. 2450 East
  • Aug. 2, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Utah National Guard – St. George, 1710 E. Commerce Drive
  • Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. George Library, 88 W. 100 South
  • Aug. 6, 2-7 p.m., St. George Morningside LDS Stake Center, 900 S. River Road
  • Aug. 7, 1-6 p.m., St. George Little Valley LDS Stake Center, 1762 S. River Road
• Tropic
  • July 10, 1-6 p.m., Escalante Utah Stake Tropic LDS Church, 41 N. 100 West
• Washington
  • July 28, 1-7 p.m., Washington Fields LDS Stake Center, 1295 S. 3000 East

How to donate blood

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health are eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Resources

• Online: American Red Cross website | Twitter: @RedCross
• St. George branch of the Red Cross: 476 E. Riverside Drive | 435-674-4440

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