Participants in any American Red Cross blood drive in Southern California will have the opportunity to enter a random drawing to win free gas for a year. The grand prize winner will receive a gas card worth $1,500.

Currently, the Red Cross reports that there’s less than a one-day supply of type 0 blood. Blood type 0 negative is considered the universal donor because it can be transfused into a patient of any blood type in an emergency. Blood type 0 positive is the most prevalent of blood types and often in demand.

Summer is traditionally a challenging time for the blood supply, according to the American Red Cross. High schools and colleges, which during the school year account for 25 percent of Red Cross blood drives, are out of session.

Additionally, many community and business drives are less productive because of increased donor vacation schedules. These factors can lead to a 10 to 15 percent decline in blood collections and severely threaten blood supplies available to hospitals.

All current eligible and new donors are urged to schedule and keep appointments to donate blood supply by calling (800) 448-3543 or visiting www.socalredcross.org.