WICHITA – The American Red Cross issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give because many fewer donations than expected were received in June and the first week of July.The next blood donation opportunity in Great Bend will be from 11:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 22, at St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker Ave.There will also be an opportunity to donate blood in Ness City from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at the Ness County Fair Building.“We are counting on generous volunteer blood and platelet donors to step up and give now,” said Terri Dunaway, chief executive officer for the Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Region. “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Each day donations come up short, less blood is available for these patients in need.”Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected.