PORTLAND — The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives.

According to the American Red Cross, Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.

Local blood donation opportunities include: 

Lewiston: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at Ramada Conference Center, 490 Pleasant St.

Freeport: 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, at YMCA of Southern Maine-Casco Bay Branch, 14 Old South Freeport Road; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, July 17, at Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St.; and 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 17, at 67 Pownal Road. 

Bethel: 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, at Telstar High School, 284 Walkers Mills Road, Route 2.

Farmington: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 14, at University of Maine, 246 Main Street, North Dining Hall; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at Walmart, 615 Wilton Road.

Lisbon Falls: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Aubuchon Lisbon Falls, 572 Lisbon St.

Gray: Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at American Legion Gray, 15 Lewiston Road.

Mechanic Falls: 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at Mechanic Falls Town Hall, 108 Lewiston St.

Casco: 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at Casco Village Church, 941 Meadow Road.

Harrison: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton, 77 Main St.

FMI: redcross.org.

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