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With the Fourth of July approaching and trauma cases expected to rise, the need for blood donations is urgent.

The week surrounding this holiday puts a strain on blood supply due to people traveling, and the demand for such donations is greater due to traumatic incidents, which often increase during the holiday celebrations.

“People are traveling, schools are out, and routine blood drives slow down, but emergencies don’t take a vacation,� said Garry Allison, Senior Vice President of Operations at Blood Assurance. “We typically see more trauma cases during the summer, particularly around the 4th. We need the community to act now to ensure blood is available when patients need it most.�

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, whether it is for surgery, cancer treatment, chronic illness or a traumatic injury. One donation can save up to three lives, but only about three percent of eligible Americans donate blood.

“The Fourth of July is a time period where we see less donors,â€� said Caitlin Stanley, senior director of marketing and communications. “The amount of donors that come in to give around the Fourth of July holiday drops tremendously, and unfortunately, that is when blood is needed from our local hospitals in our area more than ever. ... ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý just really a great way to give back. ThereÐÔÊӽ紫ý no substitute for blood. It can’t be manufactured or made; it really all just comes from volunteer donors.â€�

Blood Assurance serves as the primary blood provider for both Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond in Rome. The nonprofit must collect around 540 donations a day to meet demand.

“It is a unique way to celebrate the 4th of July and your freedom, but it really is, honestly, one of the best ways I can think of because you are giving back to your country and your community by giving the gift of life by donating blood,� Stanley said. “It impacts patients you know right here in the community because we do supply the hospitals in the area. So, if a loved one or someone you know may be in the hospital and needing a blood transfusion, it’ll come from donors from Blood Assurance.�

All blood types are needed, and you must be 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. It is recommended to eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of water before donating.

Following a mini physical and answering health questions, blood donations are fairly quick, Stanley said. It is a fast way to make a positive impact on lives.

“If you’re giving whole blood, you could be in the chair as little as 10 minutes. ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý not as long and painful as people think,â€� she said. “You are saving up to three lives with just one donation. ... The biggest impact you could have is to save lives when you donate, so give it a try if you haven’t before.â€�

During July, Blood Assurance is offering a $20 e-gift card for all donors with a valid email address on file, and O-negative and AB plasma donors will get a $25 e-gift card instead.

An extra $50 e-gift card will be given to O donors who join the Hero Club and either donate double red cells once or donate whole blood twice by Aug. 31. To qualify with whole blood, the first donation must occur by July 6.

Appointments can be made by visiting their website at , calling 800-962- 0628 or texting BAGIVE to 999777. Walk-ins are welcome.

Hours at the Rome office, located at 178 Shorter Ave., No. 168, are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fourth of July will not affect regular business hours, because the hospitals depend on these donations, Stanley said.

Area residents are also welcome to head to other donation centers in town, such as the American Red Cross. The Rome location is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 112 John Maddox Drive.

Though they do not do whole blood donations, Rome residents can also make an impact by donating plasma at CSL Plasma, 15 North Division St. NW.