In response to a blood bank shortage, American Red Cross will host blood drives at St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, and Sault Ste. Marie this month.

Blood drives are planned on the following schedule: Wednesday, August 16, at Community Hall on Mackinac Island from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Tuesday, August 29, at United Methodist Church of St. Ignace from noon to 5:45 p.m.; and in Sault Ste. Marie, Tuesday, August 29, at Faith Lutheran Church from noon to 5:45 p.m. and Wednesday, August 30, at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

American Red Cross is making a critical appeal for blood donations in the face of a prolonged blood shortage in the state and nation this summer. There is an urgent need for Type O blood donations in the region, Red Cross reported.