Donors Urged to Come Out for "Bikers Want Your Blood" Drive in W - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Donors are urged to roll up their sleeves and head to WesBanco Arena on Monday to donate to the "Bikers Want Your Blood" summer blood drive.

This is the 5^th annual year for the event, held in the summer because many donors tend to shy away from giving blood during the summer holidays. In June, donations were down more than 10 percent across the country.

Right now the American Red Cross is in critical need of blood, and a decline in donations can head to dangerous shortages, meaning some patients who rely on blood for life-saving transfusions may have to wait.

There is currently an emergency appeal for donors, especially with types O negative, A negative, B negative and O positive.

Members of local motorcycle clubs have joined forces with the American Red Cross to hold the drive at WesBanco Arena from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The goal is a successful 350 blood donations. T-shirts are available while supplies last, as well as refreshments.

Donors can either make an appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. An appointment is not required, but encouraged. As always, walk-ins will be accepted.