Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is encouraging people to donate blood ahead of the busy summer season when demand for blood is high.

“Any time there’s a holiday, that means there are more cars on the road, and unfortunately, that does also mean more things like traffic accidents, which can cause people to need blood transfusions,” said Armando Romero, associate director of transfusion medicine at Cedars-Sinai. “And summer means more people are out biking and hiking and skateboarding, which also can increase injuries and increase the need for blood.”

While blood donations are slowly rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, Romero said historically, summer brings shortages in blood products throughout Los Angeles and across the United States. He is encouraging community members to donate blood at one of many blood drives being held in the Los Angeles area in the coming weeks.

In observance of World Blood Donor Day, Cedars-Sinai is holding a blood drive on June 14-15, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St. For information and to schedule an appointment, call (310)423-4170, or visit donatebloodcedars.org.