Draper residents can donate blood Tuesday, Sept. 1, and walk away with a limited-edition Hello Kitty plush clip at the Draper Corner Canyon Stake, 13366 S. 1300 E.

The drive runs from 1 to 7 p.m. It is one of dozens across Utah organized by the American Red Cross as the organization works to rebuild a blood supply that hit crisis levels this summer.

The Red Cross declared a national blood crisis on July 27, only the second time in its history, according to FirstAlert4. The first was in January 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of the July declaration, the supply of type O positive blood had dropped below a one-day supply, and the organization had begun limiting shipments to hospitals.

Blood donations fell to a four-year summer low. The Red Cross cited extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses as factors behind the drop in donor turnout, according to FirstAlert4. The organization said if just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, it could help the supply rebound.

The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation's blood, according to KUT. The organization needs more than 13,000 donations each day to meet hospital demand, according to a Red Cross press release reported by ABC4.

Jeremiah Lafranca, executive director of the American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Chapter, said in an Aug. 31 press release that the Hello Kitty partnership is meant to keep donors coming in after a difficult summer.

"Utah blood donors helped the Red Cross through an extraordinarily challenging summer, but the need for blood doesn't disappear when a crisis eases," Lafranca said. He called the promotion a way to thank donors while keeping attention on the ongoing need. "Patients still depend on people making time to give."

Blood and platelet donors who give between Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept. 20, will receive an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and a surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. The plush clip features the character in a red outfit with a badge representing the Red Cross. The sticker pack includes a chance to receive Hello Kitty or one of her friends: Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, My Melody, Kuromi or Pochaco.

To schedule an appointment, donors can use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcross.org/GiveBlood or call 1-800-733-2767.