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In 1981 I was involved in a very serious car accident that broke my right femur and caused some internal bleeding. I needed a blood transfusion and because I had previously given blood I knew that my blood type was B-positive.

My parents said they worried that there would not be enough blood available for me, but I was fortunate that there was sufficient blood supply on hand.

My co-worker, Steve, has blood type O-negative. He has a blood type that is universal and gets regular calls to donate blood. He knows how important his blood type is and that it can save lives.

Typically, the summer months and during holidays the needs for blood donations increase. Blood donations not only help trauma victims, they help people with sickle cell disease, burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, women with complications during childbirth, newborns and premature babies, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases.

Giving blood is quite easy and if you have any questions regarding your eligibility to give you can check with the American Red Cross Web site or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3533). Basically though, according the site, you must be in good health, be at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 110 pounds. You will also need to pass physical and health history reviews prior to donating.

There is no upper age limit on your ability to donate. Conditions that require a temporary deferral are pregnancy, travel to certain parts of the world, inoculations, some health conditions and certain medications. Final eligibility is determined by medical professionals at the time of donation.

And if you are wondering what happens to that blood after you donated it, the blood is processed at the Red Cross Baltimore facility and a sample of each unit is sent out to the National Testing Laboratory in Philadelphia to be tested before it is distributed to hospitals throughout the area.

In Prince George's County Blood Drives are scheduled at the following locations:

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9 at The Colony South Fitness and Sports Club 7401 Surratts Road, Clinton

Noon to 6 p.m. July 10 at Greenway Subway, 7555 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt.

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11 at the Bowie Senior Center, 14900 Health Center Drive, Bowie.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11 at Beyond the Veil Worship Center, Inc. 401-A Prince George's Blvd., Upper Marlboro

2 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 14 Kindercare Learning Center, 3560 Mitchellville Road, Bowie.

3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 15 at the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department Station No. 43, 16408 Pointer Ridge Drive, Bowie.

If you can't give blood there are still ways to contribute. You can volunteer at a drive or donor center. You can also organize a blood drive with help from the American Red Cross. You can also recruit a blood donor if they meet the requirements mentioned above. Visit the Web site to obtain valuable information about blood donation and feel good about helping to save a life.

E-mail Linda Phelps at lphelps@gazette.net.

For information on blood donation, visit www.givelife.org.