A community blood drive is scheduled for Saturday at AtwoodWater Park in Monticello from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in conjunction withthe ABATE Southwest Chapter Rodeo.

Blood is critically short during the summer months, said SusanCain, a spokesperson for United Blood Services.

All types are needed, Cain said. A critical need exists,however, for O negative blood, which is the universal bloodtype.

Summer months are always critical because the demand for bloodincreases while donations decrease, Cain said. United BloodServices has set a goal of 30 pints for Saturday’s blood drive.

“I know that’s not a high goal, but we’re setting a low goal inthe hopes of exceeding it,” she said. “And 30 pints can help 90people, so that’s still pretty significant.”

One pint of blood can potentially save three lives because wholeblood is separated into three components with different uses, shesaid. Red blood cells are used during surgeries and on accidentvictims, platelets help cancer and leukemia patients while plasmais used with burn and shock victims.

“If every eligible donor gave blood once a year, we would notexperience shortages,” Cain said.

It is safe to donate whole blood very eight weeks, she said, andeven people on blood pressure medication or insulin injections areeligible to donate.

No appointments are necessary Saturday.

“There is a charge to get into the ABATE events, but donors cancome and simply donate without paying the entry fee through anarrangement made with ABATE,” she said.

A blood donation, however, does not exempt a donor from payingthe fee if they also wish to attend the ABATE events.

Every donor Saturday will receive a “Cruisin’ For Donors”T-shirt and be entered to win a four-day, three-night Carnivalcruise for two.

For more information, call United Blood Services at1-800-880-3336.