LifeSouth Community Blood Center announced Monday an urgent need for all blood types.

According to a LifeSouth release, an increase in local hospital blood usage combined with low blood donations has caused a shortage of all blood types throughout North Central Florida.

The summer months are difficult times for blood donations and LifeSouth reports an emergency need for blood. LifeSouth provides blood for UF Health, HCA Florida North Florida and the Malcom Randall VA Hospital.

According to the release, LifeSouth said, “It is a great time to become a blood donor and learn your blood type, or for regular blood donors to donate and bring a friend. All donors receive a $20 e-gift card and double red cell and platelet donors receive a $40 e-gift card, and a mini-physical, including blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screen.”

LifeSouth encourages residents to help in multiple ways that include:

• Make a blood donation. With only an average 1-2 day supply available, it’s more important now than ever to make sure blood is available for patients. LifeSouth welcomes regular and first-time donors to visit one of its donor centers, or find one of its signature red, white and blue buses to donate at a mobile blood drive.

• Host a blood drive. LifeSouth welcomes the support of businesses, organizations, churches, professional groups and neighborhoods looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community.
• Encourage a first-time donor. With a low percentage of the population annually participating in the blood donation process, the best way to make a difference is to encourage someone to donate with you at one of LifeSouth’s donor centers or blood drives.

For additional information on being a blood donor to locate a blood drive locally, call LifeSouth at 888-795-2707, visit www.lifesouth.org or download the LifeSouth app. Appointments can be made online.

Here is a list of upcoming local blood drives:

Tuesday, June 25

• 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UF Health Shands Hospital (1600 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville)
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chiefland Donor Center (2202 N. Young Blvd., Chiefland)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 13th Street Donor Center (1221 NW 13th St., Gainesville)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Newberry Road Donor Center (4039 Newberry Road, Gainesville)              
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Alachua Donor Center (15652 NW US Hwy. 441, Alachua)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Jonesville Donor Center (14266 W Newberry Rd., Newberry)
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Division of Plant Industry (1911 SW 34^th St., Gainesville)
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Hall of Alachua (15100 NW 142^nd Ter., Alachua)
• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Total Wine and More (3965 Plaza Blvd., Ste. B, Gainesville)
• Noon to 6 p.m. at Best Buy (3750 SW Archer Rd. Gainesville

Wednesday, June 26

• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 13th Street Donor Center (1221 NW 13th St., Gainesville)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Newberry Road Donor Center (4039 Newberry Road, Gainesville)              
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Alachua Donor Center (15652 NW US Hwy. 441, Alachua)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Jonesville Donor Center (14266 W Newberry Rd., Newberry)
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.at Hawthorne Branch Library (6640 SE 221 St., Hawthorne)
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UF Health Shands Hospital (1600 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville)
• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Gathering at Arbor Greens (13514 NW 1st Lane, Gainesville)                                    
• Noon to 6 p.m. at Best Buy (3750 SW Archer Rd. Gainesville

Thursday, June 27

• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 13th Street Donor Center (1221 NW 13th St., Gainesville)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Newberry Road Donor Center (4039 Newberry Road, Gainesville)              
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Alachua Donor Center (15652 NW US Hwy. 441, Alachua)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Jonesville Donor Center (14266 W Newberry Rd., Newberry)
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chiefland Donor Center (2202 N. Young Blvd., Chiefland)
• Noon to 5 p.m. at Hawthorne Home Coming Committee (21633 65^th Ave., Hawthorne)     
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Scherer Construction & Engineering (2504 NW 71^st Place, Gainesville)                                                       
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UF Health Shands Hospital (1600 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville)  
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alachua County Library-Downtown (401 East University Ave., Gainesville)                                 
• Noon to 6 p.m. at Best Buy (3750 SW Archer Rd. Gainesville                                  
• 10am-5pm

Friday, June 28

• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 13th Street Donor Center (1221 NW 13th St., Gainesville)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Newberry Road Donor Center (4039 Newberry Road, Gainesville)              
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Alachua Donor Center (15652 NW US Hwy. 441, Alachua)
• Noon to 5 p.m. at Hawthorne Home Coming Committee (21633 65^th Ave., Hawthorne)                       
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UF Health Shands Hospital (1600 SW Archer Rd., Gainesville)                                     
• Noon to 6 p.m. at Best Buy (3750 SW Archer Rd. Gainesville)                               
• 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Fresh Market (4120 NW 16^th Blvd., Gainesville)                                        
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. at The Lynx Books (601 S Main St., Gainesville)             
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Walmart (14500 US Highway 301 S, Starke)                 

Saturday, June 29

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chiefland Donor Center (2202 N. Young Blvd., Chiefland)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the 13th Street Donor Center (1221 NW 13th St., Gainesville)
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Newberry Road Donor Center (4039 Newberry Road, Gainesville)              
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Alachua Donor Center (15652 NW US Hwy. 441, Alachua)
• 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fresh Wind- A Ministry of Mt. Zura (25258 NW 2^nd Ave. Gainesville)                                          
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Seventh Day Adventist Spanish Church (12909 NW 39^th Ave., Gainesville)
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Walmart (14500 US Highway 301 S, Starke)                 
• 3 to 5 p.m. at Fresh Market (4120 NW 16^th Blvd., Gainesville)