PORTLAND, Maine - The Red Cross is calling on all eligible donors to give blood to help alleviate a critical shortage in Maine and across the country.
Red Cross spokesperson Mary Brandt says July is always a difficult time for blood donation because regular donors tend to be on vacation.
But Brandt says right now the need is urgent. "At this point, the Red Cross nationally - not just regionally but nationally - has a less-than-five-day blood supply on hand," Brandt says.
Brandt says people who are interested in donating blood should call 1-800-RED-CROSS; and if they're not sure whether they're eligible to give blood, they can talk to someone at that number as well.
The Red Cross says someone in the United States needs blood or platelets every 22 seconds. Brandt says the full process of giving blood takes about an hour.