The usual summer blood shortage has hit the southeast Missouri region early this year, which has officials at the American Red Cross Blood Services in Cape Girardeau worried about what the rest of the summer will bring.

"With vacations and school being out, it's normal for supplies to get low in the summer, but it usually doesn't happen until July," said Kate Killian with donor recruitment in the Cape Girardeau office.

She said the shortage has been caused by a larger than usual number of automobile accidents in the area this month combined with the usual summer drop in donations.

Killian said the shortage is not yet severe enough to ration blood to hospitals. However, with an eye toward the July 4 holiday, when the need for blood often increases, Red Cross is stepping up efforts at getting donations.

Drives planned for June:

* Noon to 4 p.m. today at Orthopedic Associates, 48 Doctors Park in Cape Girardeau, which offers free goody bags to donors.

* 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20 at the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University.

* 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 25 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City.

* 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 27 at Westfield Shopping Town West Park.

* 2 to 7 p.m. June 28 at Cape Senior Center.