By Carie Kuehn
BLOOMINGTON – The American Red Cross has a blood shortage – something that often happens during the summer months.
An emergency request for blood has been issued and the 13th Annual Red Cross and Radio Bloomington Blood Drive is happening on Monday.
Red Cross spokesman Steve Stoewer explained one reason why there is a shortage of blood in summer.
“We do have problems in the summer more so than other times of the year because about 20 percent of blood donations the Red Cross collects come from schools,” said Stoewer. “In the summer, many of the schools are closed and not able to have blood drives.”
One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
The blood drive runs from 12-5:30 [p.m. at the east side Avanti’s in Bloomington. All participants will receive a free Gondola from Avantis.
Carie Kuehn can be reached at [email protected].