Sumter Regional Hospital hosts a community blood drive from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Americus, 221 S. Lee St. Those wishing to donate can call the local Red Cross now at 924-2026 to make an appointment to donate Friday.

As students throughout the region bid farewell to summer, the American Red Cross (ARC) wants to remind donors that though school is back in session, the summer blood shortage is far from over. There is a critical need for blood every summer, and this summer has been no exception. More donors are needed immediately to put an end to the current shortage. While all blood types are needed, types O and B are in immediate demand.

In the summer, blood shortages are common largely due to the absence of high school and college blood drives. These drives account for about 20 percent of all donations in the Southern Blood Services Region. Most high schools and colleges will not hold their first blood drives until September, making blood donations now even more crucial to the blood supply.

“This time of year, many of us are focused on making sure our children are prepared for the new school year,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor services, ARC Southern Blood Services Region. “It is just as important that we make certain the blood supply is prepared for an emergency.

“We have seen dangerously low inventories of several blood types throughout the summer. Although school blood drives will pick up again soon, we must ensure we are prepared now. Patients in need of life-saving blood transfusions simply cannot wait.”

The ARC Southern Blood Services Region needs approximately 1,200 people to donate blood each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients. Most healthy people who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood every 56 days. There is no substitute for blood and the only source is from volunteer donors.