United Blood Services will be holding three blood drives in the month of July to give Brown County residents a chance to donate.

There is always a need for blood and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in the community.  Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most people will need donated blood sometime in their lives.

The American Red Cross announced last week that blood supply has reached emergency levels, with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. This shortfall leaves the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand now than this time last year.

The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors — now more than ever — to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative, to meet patient demand this summer.

An unseasonably early start to spring may be a contributing factor to this year’s decrease in donations. Many regular donors got an early start on summer activities and aren’t taking time to give blood or platelets. In addition, this year’s mid-week Fourth of July holiday has reduced the number of scheduled Red Cross blood drives. Many sponsors, especially businesses, are unable to host drives because employees are taking extended vacations.

Several appointments are available at local drives to be held this month.  Make an online appointment today by clicking the link of the blood drive location you wish to attend or visit http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/ for more information.

Below is a list of blood drives scheduled for the area:

07/05/2012
10:15 AM – 02:00 PM – CDT Brownwood Regional Medical Center Classroom 1 & 2
1501 Burnett Drive
Brownwood, TX 76801

07/13/2012
03:45 PM – 07:00 PM – CDT Heartland Mall Corral West
300 Early Blvd #31
Early, TX 76802

07/15/2012
10:00 AM – 02:00 PM – CDT St. Mary’s – Brownwood Bloodmobile
1105 Main Avenue
Brownwood, TX 76801