Summer is underway, and the American Red Cross has already started to experience a decline in blood donations. Seasonal declines in donations are common this time of year. The Red Cross is asking eligible donors to donate blood in the weeks surrounding Independence Day and throughout the summer to help ensure a sufficient blood supply and there is a special incentive!

Independence Day Giveaway, July 2-6

To help increase blood donations before and after Independence Day, all presenting blood donors from July 2-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered baseball hat, while supplies last. Because platelets have a shelf life of just five days, holidays can have an even bigger impact on platelet donations. To help offset this decline and encourage platelet donations, all presenting platelet donors will receive the embroidered hat from July 2-12.  More updates from our region can be found on their regional Twitter account, @RedCrossBloodMA. For information about blood donation, or to schedule an appointment, download the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).