Whitemarsh Township will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Township Building, 616 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill.

The drive comes as the Red Cross declared only its second-ever national blood crisis on July 27, with donations falling to a four-year summer low. Type O positive blood has dropped to less than a one-day supply nationwide.

The need is acute.

"This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions," Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the American Red Cross, said July 30.

The Red Cross supplies blood products to roughly 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country and must collect more than 13,000 donations every day to meet patient needs. Sullivan said if just three additional donors gave at each blood drive this summer, it would help the supply rebound.

The drive will be held in the Township Building's Meeting Room. Appointments are encouraged.

How to sign up

Residents can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visiting RedCrossBlood.org and searching "whitemarsh township," according to the township's Facebook page. The Red Cross also recommends completing pre-donation questions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to save about 15 minutes at check-in.

Eligibility

Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated whole blood within the past 56 days. Illness, certain medications, low iron and recent travel outside the U.S. may result in deferral.

Incentive

Donors who give blood in August will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email as part of the Red Cross's national summer campaign, according to the Red Cross.