It could be you. It could be someone you love. The need for blood donations spikes this time of year, but unfortunately, the American Red Cross has just announced that the number of people giving blood has hit its lowest point in the past 20 years. Aimee Brodeen, giving blood on the USF campus, says she knows how important giving blood can be. Years ago, Aimee nearly lost a close friend in a car wreck. Someone else's blood saved his life. She's been giving hers, regularly, ever since. “Yeah - I can't imagine him, not being in the world,” she said. “Not to have a tragic moment that changed my life, but that's essentially what it was a tragic moment that helped motivate me more to keep donating.” Each day, thousands need the life-saving gift of blood. But this week the American Red Cross announced an emergency shortage. The organization, which collects about 40% of the U.S. blood supply, said the number of people giving blood had hit its lowest level in two decades, down 40% over that same time period. “I never would've known that, honestly. I'm surprised,” Luis Zeped said while giving blood. “I'm glad to be giving back to the community though.” MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/blood-donations-emergency-20-year-low-tampa/67-e1a26f2a-0a1a-4c54-8bd0-636924aba613 ►Subscribe: https://on.wtsp.com/youtube ►Website: https://www.wtsp.com/ ►Facebook: https://facebook.com/10TampaBay ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/10TampaBay