MANCHESTER — The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25 percent in June.

Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood.

A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected at a time when hospitals often see higher demand for blood products during the height of trauma season. In addition to that, busy schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives are driving the decline which could put patient care at risk if not reversed.

The most important way to help end the blood shortage is to book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank you, all who give by July 31, will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Every donation is critical to rebuilding the nation’s blood supply, yet many people may not realize the significant impact a single donation can have on patients in need. A recent Red Cross survey revealed a significant gap between public perception and the reality of the nation’s blood supply:

-Less than one in five respondents understood that blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donors.

-Only about half believed it was very likely that they or someone close to them would need blood one day even though someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every two seconds.

“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, Red Cross medical director. “Emergency departments, operating rooms and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”

Upcoming blood donation are as follows

Bedford

July 24 from noon to 4 p.m., St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish Center, 190 Meetinghouse Rd.

Hudson

July 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., VFW Hudson Memorial Post 5791, 15 Bockes Rd.

Merrimack

July 21 from 1 to 6 p.m., John O’Leary Adult Community Center, Inc, 4 Church St.

Nashua

July 21 from noon to 5:30 p.m., Nashua Elks Lodge, 12 Murphy Dr., Unit B-1

July 22 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Nashua Elks Lodge, 12 Murphy Drive, Unit B-1

July 27 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. Joseph Hospital, 172 Kinsley St.

July 30 from noon to 6 p.m., Sheraton Nashua, 11 Tara Blvd.

Londonderry

July 20 from noon to 5 p.m., St. Peters Episcopal Church, 3 Peabody Row

July 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Mark the Evangelist, 1 South Rd.