Every pint matters.

That's the message from Laura Burke, who is the executive director of the American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Chapter.

June, July, and August are typically challenging times for the Red Cross' blood collection efforts. "It's very tough in the summer," said Burke. "People are on vacation. Schools have let out. A portion of our blood collected during the school months is from colleges and high schools. Not having those blood sponsors to pull from takes a hit on our blood supply."

A local organization is doing its part to help alleviate the situation. The Millersville Lions Club Community Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, July 30, from 1 to 6 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church's Parish Activity Center, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster.

Call 800-Red-Cross (800-733-2767) or go to http://www.redcrossblood.org and type "Millersville Lions" in the "Find a Blood Drive" tab to schedule an appointment. The Red Cross said donors can save up to 15 minutes by visiting http://www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to answer health history questions on the day of the blood drive. Walk-ins will be accepted, but they could be required to wait.

"(The blood drive) will allow us to reach that many more blood donors and collect that many more types of blood and therefore provide that many more blood products to hospitals in need," Burke said. "It helps us to have more blood on the shelf for patients who need it because of trauma situations, people who are going through cancer treatments, and new mothers who have had a difficult childbirth. Blood is essential to all of those procedures."

Burke noted that people who meet the requirements can make a power red donation. The Red Cross' website says, "Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you."

The Red Cross has partnered with Fandango to provide a free movie ticket to people who donate. "We are really promoting blood sponsors to replenish that blood supply," Burke said. "Blood cannot be stockpiled and only comes through volunteer donors."

Blood donated at the Millersville Lions Club's blood drive will likely be used to help local people. "The Red Cross supplies area hospitals first," Burke said. "In the commonwealth, we have relationships with 79 hospital systems."

If there is a surplus, the Red Cross will be able to pre-position the blood to another region, in the event of a forecasted hurricane, for example. "Rest assured, when you give to the Red Cross, your blood will have an impact," said Burke, adding that someone needs blood every two seconds and that the Red Cross collects more than 40% of the nation's blood supply.

"Our team tries to make it easy," she said. "We provide snacks and kindness."

Lion Bobbie Frick spearheaded the effort to bring a blood drive to Millersville. "The Lions Club does a lot of different events in the community to give back," Frick said. "When I joined last May, one thing I really wanted to do was start a blood drive. My mom (Darlene Fago) had passed away from cancer three years ago. During her treatment time, she needed blood, and it was a wait for her to get it. But once she got it, you could immediately see she was starting to feel better. It was amazing."

Frick had helped to organize a blood drive while working for Community Action Partnership. "I wanted to keep doing them, so I figured the Millersville Lions Club was a good way to make those happen more often within our community," she said.

The Lions Club sponsored its first drive in January, and 21 people donated blood. Frick said the club is planning to hold blood drives quarterly. "A lot of the club members are really excited about it because we did have a good turnout for the first time," she said. "It's going to be one of our regular events."

The Millersville Lions Club meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church. "We're always looking for additional members so we can continue to serve the community," said Frick. Email millersvillelc@gmail.com for more information.