STEUBENVILLE — Every two seconds, someone in America is in need of blood. But currently, that life-saving gift is not readily available to those who are waiting.

Those involved with the Steubenville High School NIKE Club are answering that call by partnering with the American Red Cross to hold the first of three blood drives on Thursday.

Students, staff and the community can visit the new high school gymnasium from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to donate.

Katrina Morrow, club adviser and organizer, is looking for volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and donate.

“This will be the first of three blood drives the NIKE club will host this school year,” she said. “The goal is to collect 85 units this school year.” Last year, 88 units were collected.

Morrow stated the all-female club members will volunteer to register and assist donors while Red Cross medical personnel conducts the collections.

Students must be at least 16 years of age and in good health to register.

Pre-registration is available, but walk-ins will be accepted. Participants can utilize the Rapid Pass on the day of the drive, answering questions to reduce their wait time.

“There is a nationwide shortage of blood,” Morrow stated. “The Red Cross is urging all who can donate to do so — especially African-Americans — because of the need for those who suffer from sickle cell disease. They have to regularly get transfusions. This has become even more critical due to the blood shortage nationwide.”

Red Cross officials noted the national blood supply has fallen more than 25 percent since July.

Participants have the option to give whole blood or complete the Power Red contribution to collect red cells and return most of the plasma and platelets back to the donor. Donors must have A negative, B negative or type O blood.

To register for the drive, visit redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time.