With the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaching, officials at The Medical Foundation have issued a reminder to the community of the need for donated blood due to the sharp increase in injuries requiring medical attention.

According to the National Safety Council (NCS), the Fourth of July weekend is the deadliest holiday of the year, citing 540 deaths and nearly 58,000 serious injuries in 2013 alone. Drinking and driving (both auto and boat) account for the majority of these accidents. Last year, there were eight deaths and 11,400 injuries from fireworks mishaps alone, according to the NSC.

“We see this national trend play out in our own area hospitals,” says Christina Tembo, manager of Blood Donor Recruitment for The Medical Foundation. “Every year we have boating and fireworks injuries, traffic accidents and other medical emergencies that require local hospitals have an ample supply of blood. We encourage the community to help us prepare for this need by donating in the weeks leading up to the holiday.”

Tembo said several area blood drives will take place prior to the Fourth of July holiday weekend, including public Bloodmobile visits to area businesses like Oaklawn, Unity Medical and Surgical Hospital, Faegre Baker Daniels and two drives on the University of Notre Dame campus. Donors can also visit the South Bend or Mishawaka donor centers.

For a complete list of upcoming Bloodmobile donation sites, visitwww.givebloodnow. To schedule a platelet or double-red cell donation, please call your local Medical Foundation donor center, or dial 574-234-1157.