The metro area

American Red Cross is issuing a plea for donors around the July 4th holiday,

which is typically one of the worst times of the year for maintaining

blood supplies.

Just in time

to meet that demand, the Red Cross will hold its monthly blood drive at

The Gathering Place in Peachtree City Monday from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Although

walk-ins are accepted, donors can also reserve a time by calling The Gathering

Place at 770-631-2553.

Part of the

need for more donors stems from supplies of O-negative blood, the universal

type used in most hospital emergency rooms, which at its lowest point

would last only one-third of a day.

Typically,

the southern region of the Red Cross imports blood locally because donations

don't meet local demands. But national blood shortages have made importing

blood difficult in the past month, according to Red Cross officials.

A victim from

a serious traffic crash may need up to 100 pints of blood while a liver

transplant may use up to 40 blood components, according to the Red Cross.

"Even

though supplies may look good today, they can drop to critical levels

again within two days," said Southern Region CEO Chris Hrouda. "To

ensure there is always enough blood for patients to need it, we must have

a constant pool of donors willing to give blood on a regular basis. We

need donors who are willing to give every 56 days, especially during the

summer months when major shortages regularly occur."

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