The American Red Cross is in critical need of blood and the organization is in Emporia today and tomorrow in hopes of getting lots of blood donations.
The Red Cross will be taking blood donations until 7 p.m. tonight and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Emporia Recreation Center, 313 W. Fourth Ave.
Norma Dixon, communications manager for the Central Plains Region said the Red Cross is in need of types O-negative and O-positive. O-negative is the most common blood type while O-positive is a universal blood type.
“We are almost critical on both of those,” Dixon said. “Of course we welcome everyone to donate but we definitely need those types.”
Dixon said this time of year it is especially important to get out and give blood.
“This time of year everybody is very busy with family coming in and the holiday our schedules get busy,” she said. “The need for blood never takes a vacation. There is somebody out there every day that needs blood.”
Dixon also said as the technology increases and the population ages, the need for blood in general increases.