Area hospitals have less than a day’s supply of Type-O Negative blood, and the American Red Cross is making a plea for help.

Sally Gaston, Red Cross account manager, said there has been a significant decrease in blood donations this month, which could have a major impact on area hospitals during an emergency.

“We’re at emergency levels,” Gaston said. “We have less than a day’s supply of Type O’s, and after today it could be even lower.”

In an effort to save lives, the Red Cross is holding a second Holiday Blood Drive on Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Selma Red Cross Chapter office, located at 812 Selma Avenue.

“We need people to step up,” Gaston said. “Lives are at stake. We have provided opportunities for people to give, but they are not doing it.”

The Red Cross held a Holiday Blood Drive in Selma two weeks ago, but failed to meet their goal.

Low blood supply is nothing new to the Red Cross during the holiday season.

“It’s almost becoming an annual tradition,” Gaston said.

With more people focused on shopping, parties and helping other charities, she said, donating blood becomes less of a priority.

Yet the holiday season, according to the Red Cross, is a time of year when there is an increase in emergency room visits.

Motor vehicle crashes, home fires, falls and injuries to children occur more frequently between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

In order to give blood, a donor must be at least 17-years-old, weight at least 110 pounds, and has not given blood in the last 56 days.

Before giving blood, each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count are measured.

For those who may miss the Dec. 21 blood drive, Gaston said another one will take place on Dec. 27 at Vaughan Regional Medical Center from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“All blood types are needed, not just O’s,” Gaston said.