Agency Seeking Area Blood Donors

In an effort to halt blood shortages in Ventura County, officials with United Blood Services are urging residents to donate blood.

United Blood Services needs to draw 105 donors each day to meet standing hospital orders for surgical and trauma cases, but because of the holidays the agency only had 83 donors on Tuesday, said Chris Fleming, a spokeswoman for United Blood Services.

Although all blood types are needed, the agency is in particularly short supply of types O and A.

United Blood Services usually experiences a shortage of blood about this time of the year because schools close and many residents take time off from work, Fleming said. The agency has centers in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Ventura, as well as mobile units in Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, Fillmore and Point Mugu. To donate blood, an appointment can be made by calling 654-8104.