Due to a busy vacation season and a number of violent disasters over the past months, the American Red Cross is urging everyone to donate blood as their supply dwindles.

Normally, the Red Cross experiences a shortage in blood supply during the summer due to vacations and fewer blood drives in general, leaving a need for Type O negative blood. However, coupled with responding to major disasters from flood, tornadoes and wildfires across the country, the blood supply has been especially stressed.

According to the American Red Cross, their blood supply levels are the lowest they have seen during this timeframe in over 12 years, but demand has remained the same.

The Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region provides blood to approximately 100 hospitals and must have 600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand.

The Red Cross urges everyone to find a local blood drive and do their part to ensure a healthy supply of blood for accident victims and those needing treatments for other diseases across our area.

Donors must be 17 years old, or 16 years old with parental consent, weight at least 110 pounds and be in good health.  For more information on eligibility or to find a blood drive, visit www.redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).