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The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood this summer for hospital patients in need and offers three easy steps people can take to help save lives. 

1. Schedule — Use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767 to make an appointment.

2. Prepare — Get a good night’s sleep, eat a nutritious meal and drink extra fluids.

3. Give — The donation process start to finish takes about an hour. The actual donation only takes about 10 minutes.

Only about 3 percent of the U.S. population gives blood, which means a heavy reliance on repeat donors to maintain a sufficient blood supply. New blood donors are especially needed during the summer months because many schools where blood drives are hosted — and where new donors give — are not in session, and current donors often delay giving due to summer vacations. 

Patients like Anna Schuster might not be here without generous volunteer blood donors. Doctors gave Schuster a 1 percent chance of survival after a collision with a semitrailer. During the first 12 hours after her accident, she received 65 units of blood. Schuster’s road to recovery has been long – 58 surgeries in the 12 years since her accident, including four in the past 14 months, with many of them requiring more blood transfusions.

Every day there are thousands of patients like Schuster who rely on lifesaving blood donations. That’s why donors are urged to give now and give often.

In June, the Red Cross joins blood collection agencies around the world marking World Blood Donor Day by raising awareness about the need for a readily available blood supply. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling (800) 733-2767. Donors can make an even greater impact by inviting others to join them in giving.

Upcoming donation opportunities:

June 26

1 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Edwardsburg American Legion

25751 U.S. Highway 12

June 27

Noon to 5:45 p.m.

Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis

60550 Crooked Creek Road

July 7

Noon to 5:45 p.m.

Buchanan American Legion

403 E. Front St.