The current blood shortage

is partially due to increased blood demand at Georgia hospitals and fewer

collections during late December and early January during the holiday

period, officials said.

"Because we are anticipating

a larger than normal surgery schedule beginning Jan. 5 and with the potential

of emergency transplant surgeries over the New Year's holiday, it

is essential that we have higher than normal collections everyday from

now through the week of Jan. 5," said Chris Hrouda, chief executive

officer for the American Red Cross Blood Services Southern Region.

Most healthy people at least

17 years old weighing 110 pounds or more can safely give blood every 56

days.

The Southern Region needs 1,200

donors each day to serve patients in need. The need for blood is constant

because donated blood only lasts up to 42 days.

The Southern Region supplies

blood to more than 140 hospitals and healthcare facilities in Georgia.

- John Munford