There is a critical need for blood donations in the Capital Region. There are many blood drives that are scheduled throughout the area and there is also a gift card incentive if you do give the gift of life. Here are the details. The American Red Cross says that it has less than a three day supply of most of the blood types that are needed and there is less than a two day supply of type O blood. To say the need is critical is an understatement.

Only seven percent of the population has type O negative blood. If the hospital staff doesn't have the time to determine which blood type the patient is, they can use this blood type. Type O positive blood is used in trauma situations and the most transfused blood type.

Right now there is an incentive if you do give blood. Amazon has donated one million dollars so the American Red Cross can give out five dollar Amazon gift cards. You can receive a gift card when you give blood through August 29th.

There are many blood drives scheduled throughout the Capital Region in the next few weeks. News 10 ABC has listed those dates and sites of the blood drives in our area. You can check those out here. You can also type in your zip code to find a blood drive in your area by clicking HERE.

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