Today is World Blood Donor Day!

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- June 14th is World Blood Donor day!

It's a day to recognize the importance of blood donation, encourage people to donate and celebrate those who do!

More than 2,500 hospitals across the U.S. rely on the American Red Cross for a steady supply of blood for patients.

The Red Cross aims to collect 12,500 blood donations and 3,000 platelet donations daily to meet this need.

Last month, it came up about 26,000 donations short of that goal, leading to an increased need for donations now.

Type O blood is the most crucial to the national blood supply, because O negative and O positive are used the most often.

Here in Michiana, there are lots of places you can go to roll up your sleeve any day, including the Goshen Blood Center.

On Thursday, the American Red Cross will host a mobile blood drive at Innovation Park on Notre Dame's campus from 11am-5pm. There, you'll be able to donate blood and platelets.

For a full list of blood drives near you, head to the Red Cross' website and enter your zip code.