Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has declared Sept. 4 as the state’s Blood Donation Day in response to the ongoing blood shortage crisis many local hospitals are currently facing.

Ivey has joined governors across the nation in its participation with National Blood Donation Week which has taken place the first week of each September since 2016. Community Development Coordinator with LifeSouth Rebecca Cecil said the timing of the event is crucial as the end of summer typically signals an increase in need as well as a decrease in donations.

“We usually see an uptick in usage from our hospitals over a holiday weekend and we see less donors coming through our doors because people are traveling and donating is not necessarily at the front of their minds,” Cecil said.

As a community blood center, LifeSouth ensures donations remain within the areas in which they are made meaning that donors are able to directly impact their respective communities. Cecil said feedback from local hospitals have indicated pressing need for all blood types.

“We are also celebrating Blood Collectors Week and showing appreciation to our donor services staff who are the ones going out on our blood drives, sticking people and actually taking the donations, but it is so important for donors to come in so that we can supply the hospitals with what they need,” Cecil said.

Donations will be accepted every day at the LifeSouth donor center located at 1704 Cherokee Avenue and mobile drives will be held at:

— Welti Elementary School: Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

— Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints located at 920 Saint Joseph Street Northwest Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

For more information about where to donate or to check eligibility requirements visit lifesouth.org.