The Red Cross is in dire need of blood and platelet donations, and we are urging everyone who is able, to find a drive and donate this month.

Due to severe thunderstorms in the Washington, D.C. area recently, blood donations in the Northeast dropped significantly at a time when the nation’s blood supply is already low, according to Red Cross officials. The storms caused power outages, forcing several blood drives to be canceled.

The Red Cross had already appealed to citizens in June, saying that its blood supply reached emergency levels, with 50,000 fewer donations than expected for the month. This shortfall means the Red Cross has half the readily available blood products on hand than compared with the same time last year.

In the United States, a person needs a blood transfusion approximately every two seconds. Each year, about five million people will need blood. And the American Red Cross supplies approximately 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply for patients in nearly 3,000 hospitals across the U.S.

The number of blood donors in the U.S. in 2006 was about 9.5 million ”“ that’s a mere 3 percent of the population, while close to 40 percent of the country’s population would be considered eligible to donate. These numbers are disappointing, and as more of the aging population accounting for much of the blood donors either dies or becomes ineligible, more adults need to step up and become regular donors.

The process is relatively simple and painless ”“ with the exception of a quick “pinch” ”“ and the blood donation itself only takes about 10 to 12 minutes. It is also completely sterile and safe. People can donate blood about every eight weeks.

Currently, all blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative.

Eligible donors in Northern New England can schedule appointments online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Individuals who are 17 years of age, or 16 with parental permission; meet weight and height requirements of 110 pounds or more, depending on height; and are in general good health may be eligible to give blood. Positive ID is needed to donate.

Several upcoming blood drives will be held in York County including: July 19, 12-6 p.m., Elks Lodge, 68 Ocean Park Road in Saco; July 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Funtown, 774 Portland Road in Saco; July 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sullivan Tire, 15 Elm St. in Biddeford; July 21, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mason Preble 143, 16 Elm St. in Sanford; July 23, 12:30-6:30 p.m., Saint Ignatius Hall, 25 Riverside Ave. in Sanford; July 28, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rochambeau Club, 329 South St. in Biddeford; July 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Buxton Town Hall, 185 Portland Road in Buxton; Aug. 1, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saint Andre Healthcare, 407 Pool St. in Biddeford; and Aug. 1, 1-6 p.m., Saint Margaret’s Church, 6 Saco Ave. in Old Orchard Beach.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.