It’s the time of year when most of us are thinking about summer vacations, beautiful weather and spending time outdoors. But the American Red Cross wants you to keep in mind it is struggling to maintain its blood supply, which is at dangerously low levels.

The local Red Cross said with high school and college students on summer break and families taking vacations, it’s tough to keep the blood supply up at this time of year.

There are four blood types that are at less than a day's supply. Four other types are at a one day supply. The American Red Cross said they like to keep a five-day supply of all types on hand to accommodate local hospitals.

One local man, Jason Bracher-Musty, is trying to make a statement by running 50 miles on the day of an upcoming blood drive.

“I think we always hear about marathons. We always hear about five-and-one mile runs. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good, but I think sometimes you need to do something out of the ordinary so that it turns people’s heads and makes them aware,” said Bracher-Musty.

The drive is the “Run for Blood” on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bracher-Musty will start running around Ohio County at about 3 a.m. in order to finish around 11 a.m. and arrive at Generations Pub in Wheeling in time for the drive to start.

Bracher-Musty is working with the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department and other local groups to make this more than just a drive. Black Hawk helicopters will be touching down near Generations to bring awareness to the need for blood.

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