The American Red Cross urges donors to choose their day to give hope to patients in need by donating blood or platelets during the “100 days of summer. 100 days of hope.” campaign.  “Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and vacation season, and the start of a seasonal decline in blood and platelet donations,” said Scott Caswell, CEO, Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region.  To encourage donations around the Memorial Day holiday, those who come to give blood or platelets from Saturday through Monday will receive a Red Cross RuMe tote bag, while supplies last.  Summer vacations and travel can contribute to less availability for people to give blood or platelets. In a spring survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors, nearly 90 percent indicated plans to take vacations this summer.  However, patients don’t get a summer holiday or vacation from needing lifesaving blood.  The Red Cross relies on volunteer donors for the 15,000 blood donations needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.  To donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.