There is no substitute for blood.

The Community Blood Bank is facing critically low blood supply and is urging residents to donate at one of the upcoming blood drives in Warren County.

About 35 percent of organizations that host Community Blood Bank drives have been forced to cancel due to COVID-19. And, donor turnout at the drives that are held continues to be low. “This is resulting in the loss of hundreds of available blood products for the patients in need in local hospitals,” Community Relations Specialist for the Community Blood Bank Jaclyn Seymour said. “One more blood donation means one more half-hour of your time. Thirty minutes to you could mean a lifetime to someone in need of that life-saving unit of blood.”

“This is a matter of public safety,” Seymour said. “We need to make up for these lost units of blood. There is no substitute for blood. It has to come from the local residents to support the local patients in need.”

Here are the drive locations:

¯ 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Warren Area High School gym

¯ noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Midtown Parking Lot, Warren

¯ noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, Russell Street, Warren

¯ noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department, East Main Street, Youngsville

Walk-ins are welcome. Those who would like to schedule an appointment may call Drive Coordinator Shari Jerman at (814) 688-3696.