RED CROSS TO INITIATE SUMMER BLOODWATCH

The American Red Cross hopes to educate people on the need to donate blood this summer.

Blood supplies drop from Memorial Day to Labor Day because of summer activities, said David Palmer of the American Red Cross.

A new program, called BloodWatch, was designed to remind people about low or dangerous blood-supply levels.

Every two weeks, the Red Cross will release a chart showing blood-supply levels, indicating safe, low or dangerous levels.

Beginning June 10, the Cape Girardeau Red Cross office will hold blood drives two Saturdays a month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Palmer hopes the program and the added drives will make people more aware of blood needs.

Donations tend to increase during holidays because of added promotions, but collections at area school drives are usually higher, he said.

About 12,000 donors are needed between now and September to meet the blood needs of area hospitals. One of every 10 hospital patients receives blood.

Donating blood is a safe, simple process that takes about an hour. To be eligible to donate, people must be at least 17 and weigh at least 110 pounds. In Illinois, people can donate at age 17 with a Red Cross permission form. Donors can give blood once every eight weeks.

Blood drive information is available through the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.