Good morning Miss-Lou. The Fourth of July has come and gone as well as a very large portion of our state and country’s blood supply.

Summer is one of the most difficult times for blood collection, and we often see shortages during this time of year. All blood types are needed, but particularly type O-negative, which is the universal blood type and can be given to anyone in an emergency situation.

Declines in blood collection strain the current blood supply and also make it particularly difficult to be prepared for future emergency needs.

According to data collected by the National Blood Data Resource Center in 2001, the most recent year for which data are available, U.S. hospitals transfused nearly 14 million units of whole blood and red cells to 4.9 million patients. That’s an average of 38,000 units of blood needed on any given day.

Since the shelf life of blood is only a maximum of 42 days, it is easy to understand why a constant donor supply is crucial.

But what does all this really mean for those of us in the Miss-Lou? Well, according to the American Red Cross, under normal circumstances, every two seconds someone in America will need a blood transfusion. It is also estimated that 85 percent of us will need a transfusion by the time we reach age 75.

Like the rest of America, we are subject to both medical and traumatic emergencies; suffer from illnesses and treatments that require blood transfusions; have surgeries, premature babies, and childbirth complications and have loved ones serving in the military who depend on the country’s blood supply to fill the military’s blood needs. Like America, we in the Miss-Lou are stand-up people, and we respond to the call.

So from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the multi-purpose room at Cathedral Elementary School, we have the opportunity to answer the call to help our community.

United Blood Services will be collecting blood for the annual summer multi-parish blood drive sponsored by Our Lady of Lourdes, Holy Family, Assumption and St. Mary parishes.

United Blood Services needs 350 donors a day to help ensure an adequate fresh blood supply to meet the blood needs of the 67 hospitals it serves.

Giving is easy. In fact, a donor time can be scheduled by visiting www.bloodhero.com or calling 601-604-0221.

Free burgers grilled by Larry Gamberi of the Adams County Cattleman’s Association will be available with ice cold Pepsi, lots of door prizes and, best of all, a great feeling that comes from doing a great thing.

So stand up, Miss-Lou! If you are healthy, 16 years old or older and weigh at least 110 pounds, come to the multi-purpose room at Cathedral Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and help save a life. It could be your own.

Bennie Boone is a blood drive organizer for the area parish.