FARMINGTON – To help offset a severe need, the Mount Blue Assembly of God Church has agreed to hold a special blood drive. The American Red Cross is asking all eligible blood donors in the Farmington area to give blood from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at the Mount Blue Assembly of God Church at 547 Wilton Road, Route 4.

The United States is experiencing a critical blood shortage this summer and many American Red Cross blood service regions have issued local appeals. At present, the New England region has about a one-day supply of most blood types. As a result, standing orders for blood at hospitals now have to be cut.

According to Thomas Miller, donor recruitment representative, “Only five out of every 100 people give blood, and the number of new donors decreased last year. First-time donors are urgently needed to replace donors who have moved away or become ineligible to donate.”

Most people are eligible to give blood through the American Red Cross. Potential volunteer donors must be 17 years of age, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.

More information may be obtained by calling the Rev. Bill Hays at 778-4249 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-482-0743.