The Rhode Island Blood Center is urging residents to donate blood ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
The donations are needed as hospitals brace for the start of what they call the trauma season when there are an increased number of accidents, emergency surgeries and a higher demand for blood transfusions.
Every year, Rhode Island reports more than 60-thousand Emergency Department visits with many occurring throughout the summer months.
There is currently a critical need for Type O blood donations after several recent emergencies that required mass transfusions.
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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Photo: John Moore / Getty Images News / Getty Images