Help the American Red Cross prevent a summer shortage

The American Red Cross urges eligible blood donors to roll up a sleeve and give to help prevent a summer blood shortage. Blood donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative are especially needed.

The Red Cross is seeing fewer appointments at its blood donation centers and blood drives this summer than what is needed to ensure blood and platelets continue to be available for patients. During the summer months of June, July and August, on average, about two fewer donors make an appointment to give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what patients need. This can add up to more than 100,000 fewer donations during the summer.

Blood and platelet donations are needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.

To learn more and make an appointment to donate blood, visitredcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. MIT Student Center, 84 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

Thursday, July 17, 2014
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. MIT Student Center, 84 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

Friday, July 18, 2014
8:30 AM - 1:30 PM JFK Federal Building, 15 Sudbury Street, Boston

Friday, July 18, 2014
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. MIT Student Center, 84 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 146 Dean Street, Taunton

Monday, July 21, 2014
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Italian American Club, 21 Allen Lane, Dedham

Tuesday, July 22, 2014
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM . Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, 606 Congress Street, Boston

Wednesday, July 23, 2014
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston

Friday, July 25, 2014
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Uno's Corporate Office, 100 Charles Park Road, West Roxbury
8:30 AM - 1:30 PM, JFK Federal Building, 15 Sudbury Street, Boston

Dedham Blood Donation Center
180 Rustcraft Road, Dedham
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 1:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Friday - Sunday 8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Boston Blood Donation Center
274 Tremont Street
Monday - Wednesday 1:45 pm- 7:00 pm
Friday 10:45 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 8:45 am- 1:15 pm

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visitredcrossblood.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.