The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.

Red Cross officials say blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what is as well as significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply.

“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment for the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”

Blood drives will be held locally the following dates:

• July 7, Florala Health and Rehab, Noon until 4 p.m.

• July 19, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.

• Aug. 8, Andalusia Health, 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.