There is no substitute for human blood.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a critical blood shortage and as a result they are hosting emergency blood drives, including one in Junction City next week.

Joyce McCrae, Red Cross, said that 10 percent of all people that visit the hospital need blood at some point in their life.

“There are many groups of people that need blood frequently – people that have cancer often need blood transfusions, people who have sickle cell need blood transfusions,” said McCrae.

In the summer there are often more medical emergencies, making blood shortages during this time of the year common but difficult.

“An accident victim in a car accident can use as much as 100 units of blood,” said McCrae. “We all know people who need blood and we want to make sure it’s there; there’s no substitute for human blood, we cannot manufacture it.”

McCrae noted that it would take approximately 17 years to donate 100 units of blood to help one car accident victim. “Only 38 percent of the population can give blood, and out of that 38 percent [only] a small percentage do give blood; so we really depend on our loyal donors.”

The local blood drive will be Thursday, July 20th from 11:30 am until 6:00 pm and Friday, July 21st from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Junction City Municipal Building.

To schedule an appointment call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.