Disasters near and far have deepened the desire in many to help — to somehow do something amid all this suffering and struggle. In many of the hardest hit places, the American Red Cross is helping — and if we can’t be involved in those direct efforts, we can certainly do something to help that organization fulfill its mission.

Part of that mission is, of course, keeping hospital shelves stocked with blood and blood products. The need for that never ceases. At the moment, the organization is asking especially for those with type O to donate blood, though all types are needed.

Summer is a challenging time for organizations such as the Red Cross, which in this case depends upon people scheduling appointments or going to an event to give blood. Even if there were no holidays and vacations getting in the way, recent tragedies have stretched the organization’s resources thin and pulled potential donors’ attention to other needs.

Try to refocus on a need that you can fulfill, very soon.

As always, there are incentives such as sunglasses or movie rewards, but the real incentive is knowing this is something you can do to help; and your gift might just save a life.

“Scheduling and keeping donation appointments are crucial this month to ensure blood products are constantly available in the weeks to come for all patients, including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions,” the Red Cross said Monday.

Here are some upcoming blood drives within our readership areas:

Monday, July 14: Hancock County Senior Services, 647 Gas Valley Road, New Cumberland, 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 15: Canfield United Methodist Church, South Broad St.

1-6 p.m.

Wednesday, July 16: Salem Regional Medical Center, 1995 East State St., 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thursday, July 17: Das Dutch Village Inn, 150 SR 14, Columbiana, 1-6 p.m.

Saturday, July 26: Salem Chrysler Dodge-Jeep Ram, 400 Legacy Lane, Salem, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Monday, July 28: Hancock County Health Department, 850 North Chester St., New Cumberland, WV, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesday, July 29: South Range Elementary School, 11300 Columbiana-Canfield Road, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesday, August 5: Peter Metrovich Community Center, 15442 Pugh Road, East Liverpool

Find more information at: https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html