The American Red Cross says they have an urgent need for blood donations, calling their supply level at a critical shortage with less than a five day supply.
"The blood is actually going to the hospitals faster than we are able to get it into the door right now,“ said Beth Frahm the Donor Resource Development Representative for the American Red Cross of Southeast Michigan.
She says a blood shortage hit the organization nationwide and without an increase of donations there is risk of leaving patients in the waiting room.
"There are times where we will actually find we have to delay procedures in the hospital."
Although this is dangerous she says it is a typical trend every summer and the challenge is two-fold.
"Twenty percent of our collections nationwide come from high schools and universities, so with them not being in session we do see a dip in our donations. Then we go out into the corporate world, the business world and people are on vacation."
Frahm says they've been at emergency levels since the beginning of July, a holiday time period, and while they did see a spike in donations after a plea to the public, they are now back at that critical less than five day supply again.
"We're not where we need to be, we still need more donors to come in."
The American Red Cross says about 30 percent of all adults are eligible to donate, but only 10 percent actually volunteer.
To find a donation location you can use their mobile app called Blood Donor, go online to RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
They ask eligible donors to roll up their sleeves and give back because you never know when you or someone you know could be that patient in need.
