The American Red Cross reports a large drop off in recent blood donations over the past two months. They're currently short by about 61,000 donations. The shortage is the equivalent of the Red Cross going more than four days without receiving a single blood donation.This in turn results a larger drain from the Red Cross's blood supply.

Here's a list of upcoming blood drives in Southern Minnesota:

  • Friday, July 7, at the Owatonna Hy-Vee from 11AM to 5PM
  • Monday, July 10, at Ag Power in Owatonna from 1-5PM and also at the Church of St. Patrick in Shieldsville from 1-7PM
  • Tuesday, July 11, at Family Video in Waseca from noon to 6PM.

St. Joseph's Church in Owatonna will be hosting a three-day blood drive. The dates are Wednesday and Thursday July 12 and 13 from noon to 6PM and Friday, July 14, from 8AM to 1PM.

There are also two blood drives on Friday, July 21. One will be at the Steele County Fairgrounds from 4-9PM and the other is at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault from 1-7PM.

You may donate blood every 56 days and, in Minnesota, you may donate at as young an age as 16 with parental consent.

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