Help prevent a blood shortage: Red Cross seeking more blood donations this summer

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The American Red Cross encourages blood donors to help prevent a blood shortage by rolling up their sleeves during the summer. Donors of all blood types are needed right now, especially those with O negative, B negative and A negative.

The Red Cross must collect 15,000 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Type O negative is the universal blood type, meaning it can likely be transfused to anyone. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to patients with Rh positive and Rh negative blood. These blood types are the most in-demand types, and when shortages occur, they’re the first to run out.

In celebration of Independence Day, all presenting blood donors from June 30 through July 7 will receive a commemorative Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. To make a blood donation appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Upcoming Red Cross blood drives:

Dodge County

July 14 from 2-6 p.m. at Ashippun Town Hall, W1266 Highway O in Oconomowoc, Wis.

Fond du Lac County

July 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ripon High School, 850 Tiger Drive in Ripon, Wis.

Jefferson County

July 10 from 1-6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 129 N. Watertown St. in Johnson Creek, Wis.

Milwaukee County

July 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mayfair Mall, 2500 N. Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa, Wis.

July 11 from 1-6 p.m. at Whitefish Bay High School, 1200 E. Fairmount Ave. in Whitefish Bay, Wis.

Ozaukee County

July 8 from 1-6 p.m. at Living Hope Lutheran Church, 851 W. Dekora St. in Saukville, Wis.

Racine County

July 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wisconsin Department of Corrections, 9531 Rayne Road in Sturtevant, Wis.

Sheboygan County

July 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Riverview Middle School, 300 Riverside Circle in Plymouth, Wis.

July 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2032 Erie Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

Walworth County

July 1 from 1-6 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 228 Martin St. in Sharon, Wis.

July 2 from 2-6 p.m. at Whitewater Middle School, 401 S. Elizabeth St. in Whitewater, Wis.

July 9 from 1-6 p.m. at Badger High School, 220 E. South St. in Lake Geneva, Wis.

July 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Kunes Country Chevrolet and Cadillac, 1231 E. Geneva St. in Delavan, Wis.

Washington County

July 8 from 2-6 p.m. at Kewaskum Middle School, 1676 Reigle Drive in Kewaskum, Wis.

July 10 from 1-6 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, W156 N10660 Pilgrim Road in Germantown, Wis.

Waukesha County

July 1 from 1-6 p.m. at Tess Corners Fire Department, W144 S6731 Tess Corners Drive in Muskego, Wis.

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

July 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 7 from 1-6 p.m. at New Berlin Public Library, 15105 Library Lane in New Berlin, Wis.

July 8 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 8 from 2-6:30 p.m. at Highview Evangelical Presbyterian Church, S50 W33042 Town Road GE in Dousman, Wis.

July 10 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 15 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, 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.