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BY MARY JANE FARMER

Herald Democrat

Giving blood can mean giving the gift of life.

The Texoma Regional Blood Center is striving to provide that gift whenever they are called, whether it be a need from a traffic wreck where a victim may need a pint or two, or a dibilitating illness in which a patient may require as many as 100 pints of blood over a period of time.

The shelves at the blood bank are critically low now, almost depleted, said the Blood Center's Director of Donor Resources Deedee Morehead. They are asking the public to step up and fill those shelves. To make that simplier for potential donors, the Blood Center has scheduled its Bloodmobile at several locations around the tri-county area of Cooke, Grayson and Fannin counties. They have also been on the telephone calling and sending e-mails to past donors who are now eligible, timewise, to come back in for another donation. Morehead said people can donate every 56 days.

So why the shortage? Morehead said they believe it's another throwback to the current sliding economy. "People are so uncertain and concerned about what is happening and could happen that they aren't realizing that the need for blood is still there, regardless of what is going on. It could even be more so with the state of the economy because of the stress it has on the health of our nation. More stress-related illnesses occur when the economy is down, which could mean more surgeries, heart attacks, cancer, etc.

"People need to understand how serious this can get," Morehead said. "When we don't have the blood, we have to contact our sister blood centers, but they could possibly be in the same situation. It makes it crucial that people come in." She said they are out of just about every blood type, not just the more common ones.

This upcoming week will see the Bloodmobile at the following places:

Monday -- Capio Partners, in the parking lot between The Dollar Store and Big Lots on Texoma Parkway, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tuesday -- Veterans Administration Hospital; two stations will be set up, one inside the auditorium for hospital employees and the other in the Bloodmobile in the parking lot n front of Building No. 1, Bonham, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wednesday -- An employee-related blood drive on FM 1417 in the Sherman area, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Thursday -- As a memorial for Missy Danglmayr, at Muenster High School, in Muenster, between noon and 8 p.m. Morehead said the high school hosts the Bloodmobile every two months.

Friday -- In the Herald Democrat parking lot, 603 S. Sam Rayburn Fwy (U.S. 75), Sherman, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

If any business, church, or organization wants to set up a time and place to host the Bloodmobile, the Blood Center is always willing, Morehead said. Churches are especially accommodating on Sundays and area music festivals are, also, during the summer months, she added.

To learn more about the Texoma Regional Blood Center, go to www.texomablood.org.