Puxico, Missouri - The Mingo Job Corps Center will host a Blood Drive at the gym located at 4253 State Highway T in Puxico on Friday, August 18, 2017 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The American Red Cross is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this summer. While the need for blood and platelets remains constant throughout the summer, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors, and current donors often delay giving due to summer vacation plans. Last summer, nearly one-third fewer new blood donors came out to give than during the rest of the year. Many schools where blood drives are held and where new donors give are out of session during the summer months.

Blood and platelet donations often do not keep pace with hospital demand during the summer months, but every day there are thousands of lives to help save. Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.

*Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

*The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.

Eligible donors of all blood types are needed to make a donation appointment now and help sustain a sufficient community blood supply.

*Donating blood is a relatively safe and easy process, and only takes about an hour.

*Scheduling an appointment is easy and fast through the Blood Donor App, online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

*Donors of all blood types are needed to help save lives.

 Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.