Series of blood drives planned for this month

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A series of blood drives has been planned for this month by the American Red Cross.

An emergency blood shortage is prompting a call for eligible donors of all blood types — especially type O — to give now and help save lives.

The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations, according to a news release. There were 550 fewer blood drives organized by businesses and other community groups during the week of the July 4 holiday as individuals across the country celebrated it and enjoyed summer activities.

According to the Red Cross, that could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations.

The local Red Cross provides donated blood to 80 hospitals across the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region and needs on average 500 blood donations a day.

Locally, blood drives are planned for 1 to 6 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar St., North Vernon; 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at North Vernon Elementary School, 810 W. Walnut St., North Vernon; 2 to 7 p.m. July 24 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 605 S. Walnut St., Seymour; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital, 301 Henry St., North Vernon.

To make an appointment to donate, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

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