MARIA STEIN, Ohio (WLIO) — The American Red Cross is urging people to roll up their sleeves as it faces a nationwide emergency blood shortage.
The Red Cross says the nation's blood supply dropped nearly 25% last month, and donations have been declining since May as hospital demand continues to grow.
Summer is typically one of the toughest times of the year to keep the blood supply stocked, as vacations, busy schedules and fewer organized blood drives lead to fewer donations.
To help boost the blood supply at a drive in Maria Stein, donors received a token redeemable for a pound of sausage from Winner's Meats.
Red Cross officials say incentives like that can help encourage more people to donate.
"Free stuff always brings a lot of people in. And it's a local business too, we get to support a local business... it makes a big difference. I mean, it helps a lot for us," said Shaun Gabes, team supervisor for the American Red Cross.
Upcoming blood drives in the area:
- July 21: American Red Cross Allen County Chapter House, Lima, noon to 6 p.m.
- July 22: Grand Lake United Methodist Church, Celina, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- July 24: New Horizons Community Church, Rockford, noon to 5 p.m. Donors will receive a free small ice cream cone from Willshire Drive-In.
- July 24: Lima Memorial Hospital, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donors will receive a Six Flags ticket redeemable at Cedar Point or Kings Island.
