Red Cross lists three easy steps to becoming a summer blood donor

From American Red Cross

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood this summer for hospital patients in need and offers three easy steps people can take to help save lives.

• Schedule — Use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment.

• Prepare — Get a good night’s sleep, eat a nutritious meal and drink extra fluids.

• Give — The donation process start to finish takes about an hour. The actual donation only takes about 10 minutes.

Only about 3 percent of the U.S. population gives blood, which means...