The American Red Cross, which said in a press release it could hardly keep up with blood needs this summer, will hold a blood drive from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Grand Ballroom.

This “Holiday Hero Blood Drive” is sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega, a service organization.

Blood supplies are at their lowest during the summer months and during holidays, a Red Cross press release stated.

“There’s always a need for blood-there’s never an excess,” said Bryan Miller, associate professor of biological sciences and Alpha Phi Omega adviser. “We want people to come during Labor Day because there’s an increase in the need for blood on holidays.”

In previous Labor Day drive efforts, Miller said Alpha Phi Omega and the Red Cross have usually met their donor goal.

“It usually depends on sponsorship and how aggressive donors are being pursued, but we’ll take anybody who comes,” Miller said.

However, there are a few prerequisites for giving blood.

Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. Donors must also be in good health to give blood, the press release stated.

Those taking antibiotics must wait two days to donate, and those who have recently been tattooed are forced to wait a year.

Sports bottles will be given out to all students who donate, and sandwiches and refreshments will be available as well.

For more information, contact Miller at 581-6383, or Tracy Torbeck, territory manager for the American Red Cross, at 235-1178.