Connecticut's Region of the American Red Cross held a blood drive in Bridgeport today to mark the start of National Blood Donation Week.

The drive is being held at Burroughs Community Center.

Clint Howson has been with the Connecticut Region of the American Red Cross for 8 years and says this week is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of donating blood.

Howson is organizing blood drives across Fairfield County and is collecting pints of blood for local hospitals and cancer centers.

Howson says he sees a lot of regular donors.

He says although blood donations are typically harder to come by in the summer months, turnout at his drives has been steady.

Howson says he expects donations to go up now that school is back in session.

Those interested in becoming a donor, can click here.