KDRV Staff
 
September 3, 2010
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - The Medford Red Cross says it is seeing a decrease in blood donations this summer.
 
To increase blood reserves, it is holding its third annual Outdoor Blood Drive Challenge. Donors giving blood can come in and vote for their favorite outdoor clubs.
 
Red Cross officials say that decreased donations coupled with the Labor Day Holiday, it is even more important to make an effort to donate.
 
"Summer tends to be a difficult time to maintain our blood supply. Our high school students are not donating because school is out, and they are our best donors. They donate about 16 percent of the blood during the school year here in Southern Oregon," said Donna Taylor with the Red Cross.
 
Red Cross workers say their new double cell blood extractor has helped speed up the donation process, and they hopes it attracts new donors.