Blood donations are critically needed, center says

With its supplies critically low, the Community Blood Center has put out a plea to donors to give blood over the next few weeks.

The blood center said donations started to decline the last two weeks of August, then fell dramatically over the Labor Day weekend.

“The holiday weekend has put the blood supply in an extremely critical state,” said David Graham, the blood center’s vice president for donor and hospital services.

Summer vacations and preparations for back-to-school events make August a “very tough month to collect blood,” Graham said.

Donors can find a local blood drive or a neighborhood collection center by going to www.savealifenow.org and clicking on “Schedule an Appointment.” To learn more, call 888-647-4040.