As residents across the country approach the upcoming celebration of the freedoms held by citizens of the United States this Fourth of July, it’s important to remember those who paid the price for that freedom. The American Red Cross is encouraging individuals to join those who have stepped up to help save lives, by donating blood this summer.

Volunteer blood donors in Selma and Dallas County will have the opportunity to give blood at the Alabama News Network and Faith Radio, “Donor Round Up,” next week at the blood drive scheduled for Tuesday, July 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in downtown Selma on the American Red Cross Bloodmobile. Residents across central Alabama will also be able to participate in Montgomery on July 9 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Eastdale Mall and Thursday, July 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Wetumpka at 205 West Bridge St., Wetumpka.

Representatives from the American Red Cross said having multiple “Donor Round Up” blood drives will give donors across the area a convenient venue to make an impact on the blood supply this summer.

“Summer is always a critical time for blood needs,” Jakki Phillips, Black Belt Director for the American Red Cross said Monday. “A lot of our regular donors are not in sedentary positions because of vacation time, and so we miss a lot of our regular donors.”

Phillips said they’ve seen a trend in an increase in accidents during the summer months and said because of that, “the need for blood is always going to be a little more strenuous in the summer time.”

Because blood can be separated into three components — blood, platelets and plasma — one donation can benefit up to three individuals. And because it takes up to three days for blood to be processed and made available to hospitals, it is important that a donation be made ahead of an emergency.