LifeSouth employees assembled for this photo. CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – LifeSouth Community Blood Center is asking donors to step forward to eliminate the risk of serious shortages.

“Shortages are something we battle every summer, and we’re already facing a shortage of O-negative blood that’s so important for emergencies,” LifeSouth Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles said.

“For those people who donate occasionally, now is the time we need you most. For those who have never donated, now is the time to try,” Bowles said.

During the Fourth of July weekend, donations dropped and have not risen with increased demand of the hospitals. “Just to meet the needs in North Alabama takes about 1,200 donors per week,” Tamara Watts said.

Watts works as communications development coordinator for the North Alabama district.

Donors must be at least 17 year old. Sixteen-year-olds in good health can donate with parental permission, if the teen weighs 110 pounds minimum. A photo ID is also required.

Numerous blood drives are scheduled for upcoming weeks:

* July 19 — Sam’s Club, 2234 National Blvd., Huntsville, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Paul Mitchell – The School, 3810 Sullivan St., Madison, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, 12143 County Line Road, Madison, 3 to 6 p.m.

* July 20 – CVS Pharmacy, 2001 Cecil Ashburn Drive, Huntsville, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

* July 21 – Worthington Bank, 3301 Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* July 24 – Public Safety Precinct, 2100 Clinton Ave., Huntsville, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* July 25 – Wal-Mart, 11610 S. Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Millennium Healthcare, 5275 Millennium Drive, Huntsville, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* July 26 – Madison Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo and Kids Day, Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Lane Square, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Shoe Carnival, 2750 Carl T. Jones Drive, Suite 300, Huntsville, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call toll-free at 888-795-2707 or Watts at 256-426-0878, email to trwatts@lifesouth.org or visit lifesouth.org.