SALT LAKE CITY – The American Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June.

The Red Cross has half the readily available blood products on hand now compared to this time last year.

The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors to give blood as soon as possible.

“Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Of that, the Red Cross in Utah must collect approximately 2,350 pints per day," said Lisa Winters, Donor Recruitment Manager for the Red Cross in Utah. "We need donors to make appointments in the coming days and weeks to help us ensure that all patient blood needs can be met. Each pint of whole blood can help save more than one life."

All blood types are needed, especially O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

Call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org for more information or to make an appointment.