Summer is a dry time for the American Red Cross.
"Right now, we have a blood emergency," external communications manager Joe Zydlo said. "We try to keep a five-day supply on hand, but we're under three days."
That's why events like the Super Sam Foundation's annual blood drive are so important. On Wednesday, more than 100 Callawegians rolled up their sleeves and donated life-saving blood. It's a new record for the drive.
"This is huge," SSF co-founder Cassie Santhuff said. "It's our sixth annual event, so to think it's getting bigger every year is exciting. We'll go well over our goal, which is 104 (units of blood donated)."
About 10 donation tables, including some designed to extract a double-dose of red blood cells, packed the basement of Callaway Christian Church. Santhuff thanked the church and its congregation for all the volunteer work and homemade cookies for hungry donors.
Many participants know the Santhuff family, or have heard their story. Rena Garner, of Fulton, said that's one of the reasons she picked this blood drive as her first.
"My youngest son started donating in high school and got the older one to do it too," she said. "Then they started teasing me about it."
She said she plans on donating again sometime.
Cindy Tanner, of Fulton, said she's donated each year at this drive since it began.
"I give blood whenever they have (a drive), because of the kids who need it," Jennifer Miller, also of Fulton, said. "I worked with a lady whose child had cancer."
The Super Sam Foundation was formed in memory of Sam Santhuff, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, at age 5. His mother, Cassie, said the first drive was one of SSF's first events and took place before Sam succumbed to the cancer.
During treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, Sam received more than 140 blood infusions. They helped extend and improve his life, Santhuff said.
The SSF drive is the county's largest, and it also happens during a time of the year when donations to the American Red Cross drop off, Zydlo said.
"People are on vacation and just not thinking about donating," he said. "Also, about 20 percent of our blood drives happen at schools, so that's about three months when we get fewer donations than usual."
O-negative, the universal donor type, is particularly needed, as are rare blood types, but every drop counts.
To find upcoming donation opportunities, visit redcrossblood.org/donor or download the ARC blood donor app.