Local blood supplies are below the one-day level.

Community Blood Bank is reporting a critical blood shortage and urging residents to help.

“As the exclusive blood supplier to the local hospitals, the shortage is a matter of public safety, and local residents are urged to donate at the upcoming blood drives,” Community Relations Specialist Jaclyn Seymour said. “The Community Blood Bank is facing a less-than-one-day supply of most blood types, especially Type O and Type A.”

“Donate blood one more time in 2020, and help give back to the local community after the difficult year we have faced,” Seymour said. “If everyone donated blood just one more time this year, hundreds of local lives would be impacted. Be the ‘one more’ donor.”

Two drives will be held in the county next week: noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Holy Redeemer Center, 11 Russell St., Warren; and noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department, 29 Fireman Drive, Youngsville.

Walk-ins are welcome, but donors who would like to schedule appointments may do so by calling Mobile Drive Coordinator Shari Jerman at (814) 688-3696.

“All donors during the month of October are automatically entered to win a $500 gift card of their choice,” Seymour said. “There will be four winners selected at the end of the month.”