Teresa Dunning of Bowling Green gives blood at the Preston Health and Activities Center at Western Kentucky University on Monday. I try to give regularly, she said. The region is experiencing critical shortages in the blood supply and several drives are planned. Photo by Joe Imel

Mike Rush is battling leukemia. He was diagnosed with the disease about three years ago and was given several blood transfusions to bring his blood count back up. I owe my life to the generosity of blood donors, he said. Once his blood counts were built up enough, he began chemotherapy, which necessitated more transfusions. I lost count after 20-something transfusions, said Rush, a former Western Kentucky University professor. There were a couple of blood drives held just for Rush where fellow church members, faculty members from Western and his former students donated. Rush didnt use all the blood that was donated for him, but while he was in the leukemia ward at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, he saw others use the blood. Its truly the gift of life, he said. You cant replace it. The American Red Cross sees donations slip during the summer, but the need for blood doesnt decrease. There are critical shortages in this area for O negative and B negative blood types. A blood drive was held at the Preston Health and Activities Center at Western on Monday to raise donation levels. We depend a lot on schools and universities in the area, said John Zimmer, site supervisor for the American Red Cross. Everybodys thinking about vacations and not giving blood, Zimmer said. Unfortunately, the need for blood doesnt slow down. A lot of people who could donate, dont, Zimmer said. We need them to come on in, he said. Marissa Sitz, office coordinator for Graduate Studies at Western, donated because she knows its a good cause, she said. Its one of the easy things to help people, she said. It doesnt involve money or a lot of time. Its a no-brainer to me. Last September was Sitzs first time giving blood. One of her office mates just reached the one-gallon mark. Ive got to catch up to her, she said. April Lash, a senior from Adairville, has AB positive blood. Its pretty much a needed type of blood, she said. I thought Id give back to the community. Teresa Dunning, who works in facilities management, gives blood when she can. I try to give at least a couple of times a year, she said. I dont see why people dont do it more often. Karen Mason, assistant professor of Consumer and Family Sciences, said more people should give blood. If youre at the weight (110 pounds) and have enough iron in it, go ahead and give, she said. Here is a list of upcoming blood drives:Wednesday: Carve Rock Missionary Baptist Church, Russellville Road in Morgantown, noon to 6 p.m. Thursday: Goodys, 2625 Scottsville Road, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and July 25: Scottsville Church of Christ, 1379 Smiths Grove Road, noon to 6 p.m. July 15: Graves Gilbert Clinic, 201 Park St.