The American Red Cross Greater Pamlico Area Chapter will host three blood drives in Beaufort County today.

The first blood drive begins at 8 a.m. and is at the Beaufort County Department of Social Services in Washington. The other two start at 3 p.m., at Beaufort County Community College and St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath. In all, the Red Cross is holding 11 blood drives until July 31.

Blood is in high demand during the summer, and the blood drives this month are a part of the Red Cross campaign “100 days of summer, 100 days of hope.”

“It is very important to give blood, and blood is always needed,” said Kay Summerfield, Red Cross blood services coordinator. “I am a recipient, so I know how valuable blood is, and in the summer there are a lot of accidents. We do need blood because we’re short on it.”

The Red Cross said on its website it needs Double Red Cell donations, which is a new program that allows donors to give enough red blood cells for two transfusions in a single visit. The Red Cross is asking for all types of blood as well at the three locations today.

“We’re looking for all blood, but we mainly need O negative, O positive, AB negative, AB positive, the different kinds of blood that can help more people,” Summerfield said. “We’ll take anybody’s blood.”

Summerfield said people should schedule an appointment for the blood drives, but they do welcome walk-ins. To schedule an appointment, The Red Cross Pamlico Area Chapter’s number is 252-946-4110.

The Red Cross said donors shouldn’t be afraid of the needle, and the initial pinch is the only thing that may put a person in a slight bit of pain.

According to the Red Cross, donors should drink a lot of water the day of the donation, wear comfortable clothing, and bring an ID and a list of medications they are taking. The Red Cross recommends drinking fluids and eating a light snack after the donation is completed.

The Pamlico Area Chapter has been serving Beaufort County since August 1917, and is a part of nine chapters helping 33 counties in eastern North Carolina.