The American Red Cross will celebrate World Blood Donor Day on Sunday, and it hopes people all over the world will celebrate, too, by going out to donate blood.
The Red Cross has partnered with Nexcare Bandages and supermodel Niki Taylor to promote blood and platelet donations during the summer months.
Summer is when donations are the lowest, said Krystal Overmyer, external communications manager for the Red Cross.
"Students are out of school, and they make up about 20 percent of our donations," Overmyer said about why summer donations are low.
Now, through World Blood Donor Day, anyone who donates will be given a 2015 limited edition, commemorative bandage as an incentive, provided through the Nexcare give program.
In its seventh year, "the give program was created to raise awareness about the ongoing need for blood and platelets, and inspire people to donate this summer and all year long," according to a press release.
This year's theme is "Creating a Culture of Giving," and the collection of bandages will feature eight designs with "patterns and textiles from various cultures and locations around the world."
Taylor had to receive 100 units of blood after being in a serious car accident in 2001, according to a press release.
While Overmyer hopes the bandages will get people to donate, she also hopes that just understanding the importance of blood donations will inspire people.
"Every two seconds, someone needs blood. The person on the other end, you may never know; but it could be a child with leukemia," Overmyer said.
The Red Cross is hoping to get donors of with all blood types, but especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative blood.
The American Red Cross also is looking for people who are interested in holding blood drives in their community, Overmyer said. If people are interested, she said they should email Eric Garner at eric.garner@redcross.org.
Red Cross blood drives in Aiken will be held at the Aiken Mall from 2 to 7 p.m. July 22 and at Aiken Regional Medical Centers from 1 to 6 p.m. July 23.
To set up an appointment to donate blood, download the American Red Cross app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Charnita Mack is an intern with the Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @charnitamack.
