WHILE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE NATIONWIDE HAVE RESPONDED TO AN EMERGENCY REQUEST BY THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR BLOOD DONATIONS IN EARLY JULY, A CRITICAL BLOOD SHORTAGE REMAINS.  RED CROSS OFFICIALS URGE ELIGIBLE DONORS TO GIVE TO HELP ENSURE BLOOD IS AVAILABLE TO MEET PATIENT NEEDS.  AREA BLOOD DRIVES WILL BE HELD THIS THURSDAY FROM 11:30 TO 5:30 AT THE COLUMBIA AMERICAN LEGION; THIS FRIDAY FROM 1:30 TO 5:30 AT HOHENWALD CHURCH OF CHRIST; WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2ND FROM 2:00 TO 6:00 AT SUMMERTOWN SADDLE AND BRIDLE CLUB; MONDAY, AUGUST 14TH FROM 2:00 TO 6:00 AT LEOMA BAPTIST CHURCH; AND MONDAY, AUGUST 14TH FROM 2:00 TO 7:00 AT SPRING HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.  TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE WEBSITE REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG OR CALL 1-800-RED-CROSS.