The region's blood supply could be in short supply if Mother Nature pulls out her usual bag of tricks this winter.

"We are stable for all types right now except B-negative and O-negative," said donor recruitment representative Bob Ferrera of the American Red Cross. "If we get hit with a major snowstorm that shuts down our blood drives for a few days, B-negative and O-negative supplies could be wiped out."

Winter months are particularly hard for blood banks, he said, because weather and illness can cause significant drops in blood donations.

"People can't give blood if they aren't feeling well," he said. "And if the roads are bad, they don't come out for blood drives. We try and build up supplies so we can, for lack of a better word, weather the winter better."

The average blood drive collects about 30 units of blood, he said, and helps the Missouri-Illinois Red Cross region supply blood for at least 100 hospitals.

Units of blood are divided into three parts and are used by emergency and operating rooms, cancer wards and burn wards.

"So there is always a pretty steady need," Ferrera said.

Blood drives are scheduled routinely to help fill the need.

"Southern Illinoisans love to give," he said. "With the economic situation as it is, it's been hard for them to give to charities, but giving blood is free. People can still help out those in need by giving blood."

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blood drives

Jan. 12: Laborers Local, McLeansboro, 2 to 6 p.m.

Jan. 13: Whittington Church, Whittington, 2 to 7 p.m.

Jan. 14: John A. Logan College, Carterville, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 14: Community of Faith Church, Herrin, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 15, 16, 17: Illinois Centre mall, Marion; Thursday and Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.