Area blood drives announced

The American Red Cross reported that it saw a shortfall of about 25,000 blood donations in the first two months of the summer, making it harder to keep hospital shelves stocked with lifesaving blood products.

By making an appointment to give blood or platelets in August, donors can keep the national blood supply from falling to shortage levels.

Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive, type B negative and type A negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors. For those who don’t know their blood type, making a donation is an easy way to find out this important personal health information. The Red Cross will notify new donors of their blood type soon after they give.

All who come to give throughout the month of August will get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.

There is a blood drive on Aug. 31, from 12:30 — 4:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church Sparta, at 202 S Main St. There also are blood drives 11 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Jefferson United Methodist Church and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ashe County Library, 148 Library Rd., West Jefferson.