The American Red Cross and Discovery are partnering for Shark Week and invite people to dive in to help save lives by giving blood or platelets in July. The Red Cross saw a steep drop in blood and platelet donations last month, and donors are asked to make appointments now to prevent a blood shortage this summer.

In June, the Red Cross collected approximately 12% fewer blood donations than needed – one of the largest monthly blood donation shortfalls in recent years. When less people answer the call to donate, the blood supply shrinks – and that could mean blood products aren’t ready for hospital staff to reach for in emergencies.

Thanks to Discovery, all who come to give blood or platelets in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive Shark Week merchandise package that includes: Beach bike; smokeless portable fire pit; paddle board; kayak; and a $500 gift card to put toward accessories.

Those who come to give July 21-24 will get a Shark Week T-shirt from Discovery, while supplies last. Details are available at rcblood.org/sharkweek.

By making and keeping blood and platelet donation appointments in July, donors can connect with patients through a lifesaving gift. To book a time to give, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 7 to 31:

Herkimer County

• Herkimer — Thursday, July 21, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars, 131 Mohawk St.;
• Ilion — Wednesday, July 20, 1 to 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 90 Morgan St.;
• Mohawk — Tuesday, July 12, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 25 Mohawk, 43 W. Main St.;

Madison County

• Canastota — Wednesday, July 13, 1 to 6 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars, 3835 Canal Road;
• Cazenovia — Thursday, July 21, 1 to 6 p.m., American Legion Post 88, 26 Chenango St.;
• Chittenango — Thursday, July 14, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., Chittenango Library, 101 Falls Blvd.;
• Morrisville — Friday, July 22, 1 to 6 p.m., Morrisville Community Church, 3824 Swamp Road;
• Oneida — Thursday, July 14, noon to 5 p.m., Oneida YMCA, 701 Seneca St.; Wednesday, July 27, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Kallet Civic Center, 159 Main St.

Oneida County

• Barneveld — Friday, July 29, 1 to 6 p.m., Trenton Municipal Center, 8520 Old Poland Road;
• Clinton — Thursday, July 21, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Schilling Burns Young VFW Post 959, 48 Franklin Ave.;
• Rome — Saturday, July 16, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rome VFW Post 2246, 315 N. Washington St.; Friday, July 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rome VFW Post 2246, 315 N. Washington St.; Monday, July 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rome Health, 1500 N. James St.;
• Sauquoit — Thursday, July 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sauquoit Valley High School, 2601 Oneida St.;
• Sherrill — Tuesday, July 12, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 230, 168 E. Seneca St.;
• Utica — Thursday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, 2209 Genesee St.;
• Waterville — Saturday, July 9, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Waterville Village Hall, 122 Barton Ave.;
• Whitesboro — Friday, July 15, noon to 5 p.m., Dunham Public Library, 76 Main St.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission.

For more information online, visit: redcross.org or
CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.