Donate today during the WAND Blood Drive

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - WAND News is partnering with the American Red Cross for a blood drive today.

It will take place at the Decatur Blood Donation Center, 2674 N. Main Street, on Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage. Blood donations have dropped 25 percent since July 1, according to the Red Cross. Blood donations were short 17,000 units across the U.S. last month.

Hospitals across the U.S. are getting lower supplies of Type O blood than needed, due to the shortage.

Blood donations help patients of all ages, according to the Red Cross. Accident and burn victims, cancer patients, heart surgery and organ transplant patients may all need blood donations to survive. Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.

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The WAND Blood Drive will also help sickle cell patients. People with sickle cell disease can require blood transfusions throughout their life. Approximately 100,000 Americans are impacted by the disease every year. And about 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year.

A single blood donation can save up to three lives.

If you can't donate on Sept. 3, click here to find a different blood drive.