Blood supply at lowest level in 15 years

EUGENE, Ore. - Mike and Delores Donis of Eugene make a space on their schedule every 2 months for a trip to the blood bank.

"We decided to make it a date night," Delores Donis said.

The couple goes together to donate blood at Lane Blood Center. Mike and Delores both have the same rare blood type: O Positive.

"If anybody asks us how we feel, I say, 'Oh, positive,'" Mike Donis said.

Though it may be painful at times, the couple said the few seconds of torture are definitely worth it.

"It's nothing in comparison to what the people who need the blood have gone through," Delores Donis said.

Blood Donors like Mike and Delores are something the country is in dire need of this summer as blood centers are seeing 50,000 fewer donations than expected.

The American Red Cross is experiencing the lowest blood supply level in 15 years. The hardest hit area is the Midwest as severe weather and miserable heat have led to canceled blood drives and have detered people from donating.

"It's a chance for the western states to ship blood to those areas affected by the shortage," said Marshall White, a spokesperson for the Lane Blood Center.

However, the Lane Blood Center is typically down in blood donations during the summer months.

Lane Blood Center officials said blood donations are down least 10 percent this summer.

"There's fewer donors in the summer but still the same volume of patients in need," White said.

Blood donors can save multiple lives in the 30 minutes it takes to give blood.

"It's three lives for every donation, oh my goodness," said Zarifah Spain, a regular blood donor in Eugene. "That's what it's all about."

Contact the Lane Blood Center at (541) 484-9111 to register to give blood.

If you give blood between July 30 and Sept. 15, you could win a pair of Duck football tickets. A winner will be drawn weekly.