The American Red Cross is trying to prevent a seasonal downturn in donations by reaching out to the public. Patricia Smith, communications manager for the American Red Cross Tennessee Valley Region, said the cycle usually turns down during the summer and around Christmas. She said 17 to 20 percent of the organizations donations come from students. When they are out of school for the summer, they dont donate. People also dont donate much around Christmas time because they are too busy, Smith said. Smith said 750 to 800 donations are needed a day to get the 600 units needed to keep blood supplies at an acceptable level. Hospitals have been calling more lately. Smith said the Red Cross is most in need of negative blood types. Robby McLellan, a Russellville resident who works at the Barren River District Health Department, donated blood on Friday at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center on Center Street in Bowling Green. I just think its something I can do to help somebody, McLellan said. The center is open on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lee Ann Stiles, charge nurse at the center, said between 45 and 55 people come in each week to donate. Joelle Mitchell of Bowling Green knows there is always a need for blood. Thats why she decided to donate Friday. Im just willing to help out, Mitchell said. Bowling Green resident Sabrina Davenport said she gets lots of letters in the mail asking her to donate because she has O-negative blood. I try to get down here when I can, she said. Im scared of needles so it takes a lot for me to come down here. Bowling Greens Roger Johnson has been giving blood for more than 30 years. Its a good thing to do, a way to give back to folks, Johnson said. Anybody that hasnt done it should give it a try. Its giving life. There are several circumstances that require using blood. Car accident victims can use four to 40 units of blood. Bodily injuries can take massive amounts of blood, Smith said. Car accidents can be big users of blood. Smith said doctors pump lots of blood into victims even two times what the body can normally hold to try to save them. Chronic illnesses such as cancer also can use a lot of blood. Theres a constant need for blood over and above what you see in the headlines about car accidents, Smith said. Bone marrow transplants use one to two units of red blood cells every other day for two to four weeks and six to eight units of platelets daily for four to six weeks. Organ transplants and joint replacement surgeries have become more common. Liver transplant can use six to 10 units of red blood cells, 20 units of plasma and 10 units of platelets. As we have more and more people in this (aging) group, well see more and more surgeries, Smith said. Many donors came in after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but they havent come back, Smith said. If someone is lying in a hospital in need of blood, that is an emergency to that person. Smith said people should think, Every day theres someone in the hospital who I may be able to help. To try to bring more people out, the Red Cross will give away tickets to Nashville Superspeedway. Fans visiting blood drives after May 1 in each of the regions 84 counties are eligible to enter the June 2 drawing. Pairs of tickets to the Nashville 300 qualifying and Sunbelt Rentals 125 and the NASCAR Hills Bros. All Pro Series races will be given away. The grand prize winner will win a pace car ride for the June 8 Nashville 300 NASCAR Busch race, a cold pit pass, access to the fan walk and seats in the luxury suite. In the days before the race, the winner will visit the drivers autograph signing and receive a NASCAR promotional package. To be eligible to donate you must be 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, not have given blood in the past 56 days and have not been asked by the Red Cross to refrain from donating. Upcoming blood drives:Monday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Warren County Bar Association at the Warren County Criminal Justice Center, 1001 Center Street third floorMay 7: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Medical Center at Bowling Green AuditoriumMay 8: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Medical Center at Bowling Green Auditorium; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fords Furniture, 1701 Scottsville Road in honor of Reid Dale MillerMay 9: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Medical Center at Franklin, 1100 Brookhaven, FranklinMay 10: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Medical Center at Scottsville, 456 Burnley Road, ScottsvilleMay 14: 1 to 6 p.m. Bristow Elementary School 6151 Louisville RoadMay 18: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bethany Baptist Church 659 Alvaton Road, AlvatonMay 24: Noon to 6 p.m. Scottsville Church of Christ, 1379 Smiths Grove Road, ScottsvilleMay 27: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Franklin Wal-MartMay 28: Noon to 6 p.m. Holy Spirit Catholic Church 2232 Smallhouse RoadTo find out about other blood drives, visit www.redcross.org/tn/nashvilleblood and click on About Blood Donations, or call 1-800-givelife.