The Community Blood Bank has been providing blood and blood products to area hospitals since the mid 1960s.

About 11,000 people a year donate, but even more donors are needed.

While the blood bank has its headquarters in Erie it helps hospitals all around the region. And donors come from a wide are as well.

The organization's 60 employees handle the donations, then process the whole blood to provide blood, platelets and plasma.

Medical Director Jeffrey Richmond, MD, said, "So these three components we are able to separate out into individual units that can get shipped to the hospitals. That treatment can then be tailored to the patient, depending  on what type of blood cells are low."

Some of the blood products are used right away. Others are kept cold for a few weeks. Some products are even frozen for later use.

But the need for blood continues to outpace the supply

Executive Director Deanna Renaud said, "There is a lot of data showing that if everybody gave one more, or even once, we would not have a blood shortage."

The Community Blood Bank is now targeting young people hoping to replace many donors  now getting up in age.

Renaud said, "We just need the next generation to give it a try."