COUNTYWIDE : Dwindling Blood Supply Spurring Call for Donations

Ventura artist Daniel Long was the ideal subject Friday afternoon: flu-less and not squeamish.

He was donating his blood to a countywide supply that is dwindling to dangerous lows, a blood-collection agency said in a plea to the public.

United Blood Services, Ventura County’s primary supplier of blood and blood products, said Friday that if the agency does not receive scores of donations in the next five days, it will face a critical blood shortage.

“I’m running way behind,” said Carolyn Tyner, an agency spokeswoman.

At normal capacity, Tyner said, the agency supplies 10 county hospitals with 600 units of blood per week.

But collections have dropped to 400 units this week.

“If by the middle of next week our units are not up, we will be in . . . trouble,” Tyner said.

She attributed the drop in donations to the recent rains and the flu season, both of which have kept donors away from blood-collection centers countywide.

Long, the 35-year-old painter, said he donates blood at least two or three times a year, but Tyner said most people do not donate this time of year.

“Historically January is difficult,” Tyner said.

“During the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, people are really focused on other stuff.”

“I just got my one-gallon sticker,” Long said, moments after having some of his blood drawn.

“I’m going to put it in a frame and stick in on a wall.”

Long said he was glad to help during the blood shortage. “If everybody just did a little bit,” he said, “there wouldn’t be a problem.”

Appointments to donate blood can be made by calling 654-8104 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.