You Could Save A Life This Memorial Weekend

If you are willing to help save a life, the American Red Cross needs your blood.

The Red Cross has kicked off a major campaign called "100 days of summer, 100 days of hope." Spokesman Jared Schultzman says Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and vacation season, and the start of a seasonal decline in blood and platelet donations.

To encourage donations around the Memorial Day holiday, those who come to give blood or platelets May 23-25 will receive a Red Cross RuMe tote bag, while supplies last.

Summer vacations and travel can contribute to less availability for people to give blood or platelets. In a spring survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors, nearly 90 percent indicated plans to take vacations this summer.

However, patients don’t get a summer holiday or a vacation from needing life-saving blood. The Red Cross relies on volunteer donors for the 15,000 blood donations needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.

If you can help, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or get more information.