The Red Cross concerned about blood shortages during what they call trauma season

People are much more active this time of year and the need for blood is constant, says Red Cross CEO Brice Johnson.

"When we face opportunities like we have right now where people are much more active, the demand increases," says Johnson. "And on the other side, places where we do a lot of blood drives aren't in session, and so there's a little bit of a misalignment in the supply versus the demand right now."

Johnson says it's a misconception to stockpile blood, and that they saw a 25% reduction in June nationwide.

That's the biggest reason they are asking people to make donations part of their summer schedule.

"Take an hour, make a decision that could really impact somebody's life," Johnson explains. "Blood has a shelf life. It's not something that we can stockpile. I think that's one thing that we're trying to make sure that people understand. It's not something that we can manufacture. We need volunteers to come in and give an actual donation."

He adds that most places that do blood drives, such as schools and universities, are not in session, adding to the issues they face.

Memorial Blood Center has also called for more donations, twice this summer declaring a blood emergency.