The American Red Cross sounded the alarm on Wednesday as the Milwaukee County Zoo kicked off its 21st annual blood drive, warning that blood is being shipped to local hospitals faster than it is being replaced. Even with a steady rain coming down, dozens of people still rolled up their sleeves, as organizers cautioned that the usual summer slowdown in donations could put a real squeeze on hospital shelves.
The three-day drive runs Wednesday through Friday, June 17–19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Peck Center on the zoo grounds. To sweeten the deal, donors get free same-day zoo admission, parking and two Summerfest tickets while supplies last, according to CBS58.
Red Cross Ramps Up Perks As Donations Dip
According to the American Red Cross, anyone who donates through June 28 may qualify for a $15 e-gift card along with a few other limited-time incentives. It is all part of a broader push to fight the seasonal slump in giving, with national promotions tied to neighborhood events like the zoo drive to help refill coolers at nearby hospitals.
How To Donate
Appointments are strongly encouraged, and donors can use the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Walk-ins will be taken as space allows, as reported by TMJ4. Standard eligibility rules apply: most donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental permission in some states) and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Why Summer Drives Matter
"Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and or platelets," the station noted, a reminder of how quickly supplies can vanish during emergencies, as reported by TMJ4. The report also highlights a particularly urgent need for Type O donors, whose blood is pulled first in trauma situations when there is no time to check a patient’s blood type.
Where Donations Go
Blood collected at the zoo will be routed to local hospitals, where it is used for trauma care, surgeries and cancer treatments. Once inventories dip, organizers say it can take weeks to climb back to comfortable levels, according to the American Red Cross. To lock in a time slot or double-check eligibility, would-be donors can visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
