World Blood Donor Day is being observed today. According to Katie Gaynor with the American Red Cross Blood Services, summer is often a difficult time to collect blood and they are working to maintain the supply and prevent a shortage. All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

For a list of area blood drives visit KCII’s community calendar.