CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The American Red Cross’ national blood supply fell by nearly 25% in the month of June, prompting the organization to declare a blood shortage emergency on Monday. A similar decline has been seen in Virginia since May, spokesperson Jonathan McNamara told Cville Right Now.

The shortage comes at a time of year when donations locally drop with the University of Virginia out of session, while the need for blood elevates. McNamara said the organization sees the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the “100 deadliest days” of the year, when there is a dramatic rise in car crashes, in particular.

“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross, said in a statement. “Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”

Distributions to hospitals are currently 3,500 units higher than expected, the organization announced.

Monday, in partnership with Charlottesville Media Group, the Red Cross is holding its annual Broadcasters for Blood drive. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Albemarle Square shopping center, between ACAC and Aldi.