The Red Cross says that they are having critical shortages of donated blood due to the summer slump in donations. Rodney Wilson with the Red Cross says that regular donors frequently delay their donations in August due to the summer vacations and back-to-school activities.

There are several upcoming blood donation events in our area including:

From 9 to 2 Tuesday, August 15th at Developmental Services Inc. on 10th Street and from 12 to 5 Tuesday, August 15th at the North Vernon Senior Citizens Center, on Buckeye Street.

They will also be taking donations in Nashville, Wednesday August 16th from 2 to 7 at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, and again in Columbus at the La Quinta Inn from 10 to 4 on Friday, August 18th.

If you have already donated this summer, you can donate 56 days after your last donation, he says.

Anyone who donates through August 31st will receive a $5 e gift card to Target.

You can make an appointment by going online to redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).