There are 100 days of summer, and the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to choose their day to give blood and help ensure a sufficient blood supply.
Summer is a difficult time to collect enough blood to meet patient needs. Nearly 90 percent of donors surveyed this past spring said they planned to take a vacation this summer, potentially making them less available to give. In addition, many schools that host blood drives are out of session during the summer.
Donors of all blood types are needed. The Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The next opportunity to donate blood in Richmond Hill is Tuesday, June 23, from 2-7 p.m. at the Richmond Hill Senior Center, 9930 Ford Ave.