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ALBANY, GA --
The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage and is asking the public for their help replenishing blood banks.

Phoebe Putney is holding a blood drive Thursday at the main campus from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help fight against the potential crisis.

"The number of accidents is up and the number of donations is down. That creates the perfect storm that we don't have enough blood in our refrigerator to honor all of the needs,” said Phoebe’s Blood Bank Manager, Dian Swafford.

Anyone over 17 years old, at least 110 pounds and in general good health is asked for their help in a matter that Swafford says can be a matter between life and death.