Blood Supply Low This Summer - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

There's no doubt that summer can be busy for everyone, but finding the time to donate blood could save somebody's life.

The United Blood Services building is pretty quiet this summer.

"Currently our blood supply is sitting at about half of where we'd like to have it on a regular basis," Stephanie Radenz - Donor recruitment manager said.

But you don't just have to donate at United Blood Services, they also setup mobile blood drives across the state.

"One in five of us will at some point in our lives before we're 70, so it's important to always make sure that it's there," Radenz said.

In addition to the short supply on hand, another challenge that the United Blood Services deals with is the expiration on the blood, it's good for only 42 days.

"We just want to make sure that people don't just assume that somebody else is going to do it, I don't need to, you're eligible to donate every eight weeks," Radenz said.

That's exactly what Dave Nehring is doing, he says it might take a little time, but it could save somebody's life.

"You know it's like taking a lunch break, you can get it done in an hour or less it's not really all that big of an inconvenience," Dave Nehring said.

Nehring has been donating for a couple years now, but says he wishes he would've started earlier.

"Just kind of one of those things that should of been doing a long time ago, and finally got around to it," Nehring said.

After all, one in five of us will need it, and making sure there's enough on the shelf is crucial.

If you'd like to donate you can call United Blood Services at 701-258-4512 or visit www.bloodhero.com.