KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The American Red Cross is in emergency need of blood.

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for eligible individuals to donate blood or platelets as soon as possible.

“Blood and platelet donations are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. In fact, donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than what is needed,” stated a press release.

“The decline in summer donations is causing a significant draw-down of our overall blood supply, and we urgently need people to give now to restock hospital shelves and help save lives,” said Shaun Gilmore, president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Every day, patients recovering from accidents or those receiving treatments for cancer or blood disorders rely on lifesaving blood products regardless of the season.”

Donors who donate through Aug. 31, who have an email address on file with the Red Cross, will receive an email for a $5 Target eGiftCard™ after their attempted donation.

Upcoming blood drives within Kosciusko include:

• Sunday, Aug. 6, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., New Life Christian Church, 744 S. CR 325E, Warsaw.
• Tuesday, Aug. 8, Noon-6 p.m., Center Lake Pavilion, 117 Canal St., Warsaw.
• Thursday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Paragon, 8 Matchett Industrial Park Drive, Pierceton.
• Saturday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., YMCA, 1305 Mariners Drive, Warsaw.
• Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1-6 p.m., North Webster Church of God, 302 N. Main St., North Webster.
• Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bell Air Museum, 210 S. Oak St., Mentone.
• Tuesday, Aug. 29, Noon-6 p.m., Lakeland Christian Academy, 1093 S. CR 250E, Winona Lake.
• Tuesday, Aug. 29, Noon-5 p.m., Community Animal Hospital, 3800 N. SR 15, Warsaw.
• Wednesday, Aug. 30, Noon-5:30 p.m., Grace College Gordon Rec. Center, 100 Publishers Drive, Winona Lake.

Many of the above donation sites are able to also receive Power Red donations. To see more information, register to give or see future events, go online.