CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – As summer vacations, packed schedules and extreme heat make it harder to collect lifesaving blood donations, the annual Broadcasters for Blood Drive is once again bringing the Charlottesville community together to help ensure local hospitals have the blood they need. Hosted by the American Red Cross and the Charlottesville Media Group, Monday’s drive is designed to encourage residents to donate before blood shortages become critical.

“It’s a really good opportunity for the American Red Cross to come together with so many generous Charlottesville-area media partners, build a sense of community around a large-scale blood drive, and collect as many units of blood as possible,” Red Cross Account Manager Jason Krech told Cville Right Now.

Summer is consistently one of the most challenging times of year for maintaining an adequate blood supply. According to the American Red Cross, donation appointments – which account for 90% of all blood donations – have declined sharply in recent weeks as people travel and school schedules change. Severe weather and extreme heat can also disrupt blood collections.

At the same time, the need for blood remains constant.

“The 100 deadliest days is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, where we see an increase in trauma-related events, including car crashes,” Director for the Red Cross of Virginia, Jonathan McNamara told Cville Right Now. “One trauma patient can use over 100 units of blood.”

That makes proactive donations especially important.

“When accidents and emergencies happen, we don’t save lives because people donate afterward – we save lives because we already have blood on the shelves,” Krech said. “That’s why it’s so important to stay ahead of the need.”

This year’s Broadcasters for Blood Drive is themed, “Stars, Stripes and Saving Lives” in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary. Organizers hope to collect 250 units of blood during the event. It will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday in the Albemarle Square Shopping Center.

“Our goal for this event is built around the Fourth of July and America’s 250th,” Virginia Red Cross Executive Director Bill Brent told Cville Right Now.

Organizers say the event is about more than collecting blood – it’s about strengthening community connections.

“Blood drives always perform better when there’s a sense of community, when people feel like, ‘Yeah, we’re all going down to donate together,'” Krech said. “Seeing familiar media personalities and neighbors creates that sense of togetherness we’re looking for.”

Dozens of volunteers will help welcome donors, register participants, distribute refreshments and keep the event running smoothly throughout the day.

“There will be dozens of volunteers engaged throughout the day,” Brent said. “They’ll greet donors, register folks, help in the canteen, distribute refreshments and door prizes—it’s truly a community effort.”

The Red Cross hopes events like this will encourage more people to become regular donors rather than waiting until a disaster strikes.

“We want blood donation to become something people do regularly—just part of their lives,” Krech said. “You donate about an hour of your time and one pint of blood, and that can save up to three lives every time you do it.”

Brent echoed that message, noting that only a small percentage of eligible Americans currently donate blood.

“Only about 3% of the American population actually donates blood, even though a much greater percentage is eligible,” Brent said. “There is no manufactured substitute for blood. The only way someone who needs a transfusion can receive lifesaving blood is if someone donates it.”

For those considering donating for the first time, organizers say the commitment is small, but the impact can be enormous.

“That unit of blood can save up to three lives,” Brent said. “It’s an incredible opportunity that, in less than an hour of your time, you could save three lives with the simple gift of a unit of blood.”

(Editor’s note: Charlottesville Media Group owns and operates Cville Right Now.)