Give blood! The American Red Cross needs YOU this June!

MADISON (WITI) — The American Red Cross encourages blood donors to make appointments to maintain the blood supply and help prevent a shortage heading into summer. Donors of all types are needed, especially those with O negative, B negative and A negative.

Blood donations drop during summer, as schools are out of session, families are on vacation and people are preoccupied with outdoor activities.

Statistics show that in June, July and August, two fewer donors give blood at each Red Cross drive than what hospitals need.

Upcoming Red Cross blood drives:

Dodge County

June 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 311 W. Mackie St. in Beaver Dam, Wis.

June 17 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 311 W. Mackie St. in Beaver Dam, Wis.

June 30 from noon to 6 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 300 Church St. in Lomira, Wis. 

Fond du Lac County

June 17 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 430 Griswold St. in Ripon, Wis.

June 26 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Fond du Lac Family YMCA, 90 W. Second St. in Fond du Lac, Wis.

June 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fond du Lac High School, 801 Campus Drive in Fond du Lac, Wis. 

Jefferson County

June 19 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Ixonia Fireman’s Hall, N8345 Park St. in Ixonia, Wis.

June 23 from noon to 6 p.m. at Turner Hall, 301 S. Fourth St. in Watertown, Wis.

June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Turner Hall, 301 S. Fourth St. in Watertown, Wis.

June 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jefferson High School, 700 W. Milwaukee St. in Jefferson, Wis.

June 27 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, 387 S. Monroe St. in Waterloo, Wis. 

Milwaukee County

June 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road in Milwaukee, Wis.

June 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Forest Home Library, 1432 W. Forest Home Ave. in Milwaukee, Wis. 

Ozaukee County

June 24 from 2-7 p.m. at Port Washington Adult Community Senior Center, 403 W. Foster St. in Port Washington, Wis. 

Sheboygan County

June 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2032 Erie Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

June 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2032 Erie Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

Walworth County

June 16 from noon to 6 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 416 W. Geneva St. in Delavan, Wis.

Washington County

June 16 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Dave’s Lanes, 218 N. Main St. in Hartford, Wis.

June 17 from 1-6 p.m. at Peace United Church of Christ, 343 First St. in Kewaskum, Wis.

June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CrossWay Church, W156 N10041 Pilgrim Road in Germantown, Wis.

June 26 from 1-6 p.m. at ComForcare Senior Services, 4466 Highway P in Jackson, Wis.

Waukesha County

June 17 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

June 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Batteries Plus, 1325 Walnut Ridge Drive in Hartland, Wis.

June 19 from 1-6 p.m. at Olympia Resort, 1350 Royale Mile Road in Oconomowoc, Wis.

June 19 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

June 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Delafield City Hall, 500 Genesee St. in Delafield, Wis.

June 24 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

June 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Menomonee Falls Public Library W156 N8436 Pilgrim Road in Menomonee Falls, Wis.

June 26 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

June 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mukwonago Community Library, 511 Division St. in Mukwonago, Wis.

How to donate blood

Simply 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.