In the midst of an emergency need for blood announced in late June, the Mower County American Red Cross is holding two upcoming blood drives in Austin.

Drives will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Red Cross building in Austin, 305 Fourth Ave. NW, on July 19, and from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 20 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 2000 Oakland Avenue W.

Red Cross blood supply remains at low levels and eligible donors of all types continue to be needed. Vacations, summer schedules, and the mid-week Independence Day holiday have reduced the number of donations, yet the need is constant.

According to the Red Cross, every two seconds a patient in the United States needs blood. For more information, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment or locate a Red Cross blood drive.