The American Red Cross says they are in a blood shortage and is issuing an urgent call for eligible donors.

The organization says this is an emergency need. They are down 12% for donations because fewer people donated over the 4^th of July holiday. The Red Cross is urging all eligible donors of all blood types, and especially individuals with type O, to donate as soon as possible.

More than 40 hospitals across central Ohio receive donated blood from the Red Cross, supporting patient care in 27 counties in the region, and right now, blood is going out faster than it is coming in.

“To make surgeries possible, to save the lives of new mothers who hemorrhage giving birth, cancer patients, heart transplant patients, they all need blood in order for their treatment to be possible, and we can’t do it without blood donors,” Rodney Wilson with the American Red Cross Blood Services said.

One person who donates blood has the potential to save up to three lives with their donation. There are blood drives daily throughout central Ohio, and all blood types are needed. For blood drive times and locations, tap or click here.