Amazon has teamed up with the American Red Cross to encourage blood donation during this urgent emergency blood shortage. Currently, the Red Cross has less than a three day supply of most blood types, with type O being the most critical of levels with less than a two-day supply.

Joe Zydlo (zid-lo), the external communications manager for the American Red Cross Blood Services for Missouri-Illinois region says that summer donations tend to be low.

Through August 29th, each donor of blood or platelets through the American Red Cross will receive a 5 dollar Amazon gift card by email. These gifts are thanks to a one million dollar donation provided to the Red Cross by Amazon. You can schedule an appointment in advance by using Amazon's Alexa, the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org