The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges eligible donors to give now to help patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations. As a thank-you for helping replenish the blood supply, all donors who come to give blood or platelets now through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

Andalusia area residents will have an opportunity to give blood next week.

The Covington Realtors Association has announced a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Tues., May 21, at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce on River Falls Street.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will host a drive from 1 until 6 p.m. Thurs., May 23. The church is located at 1307 East Three Notch Street.

Right now, the Red Cross has less than a two-day supply of type O blood available for emergency rooms, where it can be most critical. Type O negative blood it can be transfused to patients with any blood type.

and is what hospital staff reach for during emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type. Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type and is also critical in trauma situations.