(Re-posted courtesy of Erin Ferris at redcrosschat.org)

The arrival of summer means pool parties and backyard barbeques, spitting watermelon seeds and roasting hotdogs over a campfire, catching fireflies at dusk and watching the stars come out after dark. But more often than not the arrival of summer also means a shortage of blood on hospital shelves.

Throughout the summer months, and especially in the weeks leading up to and surrounding the 4th of July holiday, blood donations decrease and the need for blood increases. This situation, brought on by an increase in travel and outdoor activities that keep regular donors from donating but also result in more occasions for accidents and injuries requiring blood, places an additional demand on local and national blood supplies.

This demand, coupled with the fact that blood donations through the American Red Cross were down during the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year, means that blood donations are desperately needed. Now.

The mission of the American Red Cross is to “ensure a safe and adequate blood supply through voluntary donations”. In order to accomplish this mission and serve the patients receiving care at more than 3,000 hospital and transfusion centers throughout the country, the American Red Cross counts on the generous support of all those who are eligible to donate.

This summer, and in honor of our country’s birthday, please consider helping a fellow American in need of a blood transfusion reach their next birthday by making an appointment to donate blood today.

Donations of all blood types are greatly appreciated, but donations of blood types O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative are urgently needed.