The American Red Cross recently reported an urgent need for blood donors.

In the Washington and Greenville areas, the organization must collect 500-600 units of blood per day to keep up with the demand for blood. The organization is responsible for about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and provides blood to 2,600 hospitals and blood transfusion centers across the nation.

Currently, the organization is down to less than a five-day reserve supply of blood, a stock it keeps on hand for scheduled surgeries and emergency situations.

In the summer months, according to the Red Cross, donations plummet due to schools and universities being out of session, as well as people who would normally have the opportunity to donate being on vacation.

However, the need for blood does not slow down. With only 38 percent of the population eligible to donate, only 8 percent actually takes the time to give blood. Also, blood can only be stored for 42 days before it is no longer usable. This situation brings the urgent need for blood into play.

It is important to think about why giving blood is vital to what the American Red Cross does.

An emergency situation could happen to anyone at any time, and that person could need blood to save his or her life. This is why it’s important to get involved and donate. One person’s donation can save up to three lives, according to the organization. The Red Cross also sends a donor confirmation of when a blood donation is on its way to helping someone, which makes a huge impact on the donor.

Taking an hour out of one’s day to give blood could mean the difference between life and death for someone else. It could mean the difference between life and death for a family member, friend or neighbor.

There are other ways to help the cause — volunteering by driving someone who is eligible to a location to donate blood or transporting blood once it is collected. There are many ways to get involved.

The Red Cross is providing several opportunities to donate blood during the month of August. To find out the exact locations where one could donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org and type in the zip code.

Also, from now until Aug. 31, those who donate will be given a $5 coupon to Amazon.com.

Giving blood is a good way to give back to others and help benefit those who need blood in any given situation. All one has to do is get involved and make a donation that could help save lives.