The American Red Cross is asking donors to roll up their sleeves after declaring an emergency blood shortage caused by a sharp decline in donations during June. The organization says its blood supply dropped nearly 25 percent, creating a growing gap between available blood and hospital demand. The shortage is especially critical for platelets, O-positive blood, and B-negative blood.

According to the Red Cross, hospitals are currently using nearly 3,500 more units of blood each week than expected, while summer vacations, busy schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives have contributed to fewer donations. Officials warn that if the trend continues, patient care could be affected.

“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “Emergency departments, operating rooms and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”

The Red Cross notes that someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion every two seconds, yet fewer than one in five people realize blood cannot be stockpiled because of its limited shelf life.

To encourage donations, everyone who gives blood between July 13 and July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, valid for up to $15 toward the ticket price and fees. Appointments can be scheduled through the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The nearest scheduled blood drives in the region include Chatsworth on July 14 and Rockmart on July 16.