UB faculty and staff can help overcome a critical summer blood shortage by taking part in a Red Cross blood drive being held next week on the North Campus.

Employees can donate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 12 in the Student Union.

Donors can schedule an appointment by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Blood shortages often worsen around Independence Day due to fewer volunteer-hosted blood drives at places of work, worship or community gathering, and this year is no exception. Nearly 700 fewer blood drives are scheduled during the Independence Day week than the weeks before and after the holiday.

Overall, the summer months are among the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they vacation and take part in summer activities. In a recent survey of Red Cross blood donors, more than 73 percent indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after Independence Day.