The Stanford Blood Center is currently facing an immediate need for all blood types, especially type O negative, and is asking Bay Area residents to come out and donate as soon as possible to help meet the needs of local patients.

“Summer is always a difficult time to collect blood donations,” said Renee Gipson, the center’s donor services director. “We typically see a decline in donors this time of year, which can impact patient care.”

Type O negative is one of the most frequently needed blood types, the center said. Supplies are critically low.

“Before heading out for summer activities or that family vacation, we’re urging the community to please consider making an appointment to donate to help maintain a steady supply … in the coming months,” said Gipson.

Donors are encouraged to make appointments at one of three donation center locations in Campbell, Menlo Park or Mountain View. The centers are open seven days a week. They are located at 295 E. Hamilton Avenue in Campbell, 445 Burgess Drive Suite 100 in Menlo Park, and 515 South Drive Suite 20 in Mountain View. To make an appointment, call 888-723-7381.

There will also be a number of mobile units available to the public, including blood drives in Milpitas, Pleasanton, San Jose and Sunnyvale. Anyone who donates now through the end of July will receive a “Grateful for Life” tie-dyed T-shirt. Make a mobile appointment online or call 888-723-7831.

Donors should be in good health, with no cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms. Be sure to eat well prior to donation, drink fluids and please bring a photo ID to your donation.

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.