The Red Cross has teamed up with Winchester Hospital to host blood drives where volunteers can donate blood.

According to WBUR, blood donations in May and June were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen in over a decade. 

"So essentially, earlier this month, the American Red Cross issued an appeal for blood donors of all types due to a critical blood shortage across our nation and that was actually on July 11," explains Jecoliah Ellis, the Red Cross Director of Communications. "So, while demand for blood products remained steady, donations were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen during this time frame in over a dozen years.

"The Red Cross needs blood donors now more than ever", continues Ellis. 

Ellis also explains that about one million units were collected in 2000, but that this past year, the number of units collected was hovering around 900,000.

During this blood drive, the Red Cross collected 55 units of blood.  The next blood drive will happen December 29th from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  To find out how you can help out, contact Winchester Hospital or the American Red Cross.