The American Red Cross is asking Americans to roll up their sleeve and give blood this summer.

According to the Red Cross, their blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. Due partially to the early summer and a lack of scheduled blood drives, this shortfall leaves the nonprofit with half the readily available blood products on hand now than this time last year.

“Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Of that, the Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region must collect approximately 900 pints per day,” said Diane E. Ward, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region, serving Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and St. Clair counties. “We need donors to make appointments in the coming days and weeks to help us ensure that all patient blood needs can be met. Each pint of whole blood can help save more than one life.”

To make an appointment to give blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you donate.

About the American Red Cross

The Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region serves five counties, and needs to collect about 900 units of blood a day to meet patient need in 43 hospitals. In addition to supplying nearly half of the nation’s blood, the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.