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QUINCY, ILL. -- The American Red Cross says they need to collect 17,000 pints of blood everyday for their hospitals and transfusion centers across the United States.

But right now, donations are down by about 10% and that has the Red Cross concerned.

And on any given day, the Heart of America Region of the American Red Cross needs to collect 500 pints of blood. The region is based in Peoria

"There's already a critical need around holidays and especially in the summer. We don't have high school drives during the summer and a lot of college drives we don't have as well," said Beth Forbes who is with the Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion every two seconds. That averages out to a nationwide need of nearly 17,000 pints of blood everyday. And with the 4th of July holiday coming up next week, the call is being put out for more people to donate.

"Blood products, whole blood as well as platelets, we are needing all blood types. Not one specifically. We always can use the universal blood type, but all blood types are needed," said Forbes.

The entire donation process takes about an hour. Anyone 18 or older can donate and you must weigh at least 100 pounds. If you're 16 or older you can donate but you must have your parents permission. There's a limit on the number of times you can donate a year. But if you haven't donated recently, the Red Cross would like for you to consider helping someone who's in need.

KHQA is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Monday, July 9th from noon to 6 p.m. at the Quincy Mall Community Room. Click here for more information on how to donate and join the cause!