According to the American Red Cross, Middle Tennessee's blood supply has dropped to less than a one-day supply, with critical needs for all blood types — and representatives say they're relieved that schools are going back into session, since high school and college students donate more than 12 percent of the blood in our area.

A blood drive is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 30 and 31, in the Tech Pride Room.

“Summer vacations, changes in work schedules and the busy nature of people’s lives have an impact on blood collections during the summer,” says Jean Ann Mayberry, donor recruitment representative for the Upper Cumberland region. “Although 60 percent of the people in America are eligible to donate blood, only five percent do. We know that the number one reason most people don’t give blood is because they’ve never been asked. We would like the students and faculty of Tennessee Tech University to consider themselves asked.”

Red Cross blood drive visitors during August and September will find ballots to win Tennessee Titans home game tickets and a new version in the Titans/Red Cross t-shirt series.

The minimum age to donate blood is 17. There is no maximum age. The minimum weight is 110 pounds. First-time donors are invited and encouraged.

The daily supply of blood can be seen at tnvalley.redcross.org/bloodsupply.html.