Of all the summer activities we look forward to — vacations, pool parties, front porch visiting to name just a few — there’s one many of us overlook, and it’s a critical miss: donating blood.

Summer months are tough for blood donor organizations such as American Red Cross or LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. Donations typically drop dramatically due to our typical summer activities, but the need actually rises during these months.

ARC and LifeSouth rightly urge donors to give blood or platelets now to reinforce the blood supply as much as possible before the summer winds down. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August.

Donors remain critically needed to support these organizations’ delivery of vital blood products, which are in demand around-the-clock as hospitals work to save lives this summer.

When fewer people answer the call to donate, the blood supply can quickly shrink. Help safeguard necessary care for patients — book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, using the Red Cross Blood Donor app or visiting www.lifesouth.org/. At either website you’ll find myriad blood drives in Limestone, Cullman, St. Clair and other Alabama counties between now and mid-August.

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.  

Similarly, LifeSouth also welcomes volunteers and interns, and offers opportunities at its website.

But no matter how you contribute — through blood donations, volunteering or donating other resources — the need is now. Our families, our neighbors and our medical facilities are depending upon each of us.