Red Cross urges blood donations ahead of July 4th with exclusive incentives

As summer ramps up and the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, the American Red Cross is asking to make blood or platelet donation apart of the festivities. (Photo credit: WLOS)

(WCIV) — As summer ramps up and the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, the American Red Cross is asking to make blood or platelet donation apart of the festivities.

While blood donations are needed all year long, they become especially crucial in the summer, to support people who may be in trauma situations and require several lifesaving transfusions.

The Red Cross is specifically seeking donors with the universal donor blood type, type O blood, which is one of the most handy blood types to keep on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

As an extra incentive, the Red Cross is partnering with goodr to gift all who come to donate between July 1 and 14 n exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses.

Or, those who make it in to give by June 30, will get a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards.

An appointment to donate blood can be made through the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, the Red Cross website or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS