With the American Red Cross New Jersey Region sending out blood faster than donations are coming in, the organization is facing a blood shortage.

While blood shortages aren’t uncommon during summer months, with people on vacation and schools out, a Red Cross spokesperson says the downward trend started in November of last year. The humanitarian organization believes fewer blood drives and people giving blood are, at least in part, the reasons for the decline.

Joanne Cappetta, a former nurse who ran a blood drive at Montclair State University, on Monday said one pint of blood can save up to three lives.

“It truly saves lives, without blood, people will die,” said Cappetta. “There’s been times where we had to wait for blood or get it from somewhere else and it wasn’t readily available.”

Regional CEO of the American Red Cross, Rosie Taravella says 700 pints of blood are needed every day to fulfill the needs of 130 hospitals in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.