Giving blood is truly a gift of life.
The fact that it's a perishable gift is a national concern.
Lack of blood, which used to be associated mainly with holidays, has become a year-round crisis in a number of locales around the country.
The shortage of blood has reached the point that the government is instituting a system to monitor the nation's blood supply.
As Dr. Christopher Lowell, Massachusetts General Hospital's transfusion director, told the Associated Press: "We may find ourselves back in the pre-1970 days where if we're doing an operation, we have to check the blood bank first and make sure something's in the refrigerators."
The situation is likely to get worse before it gets better as next month many donors will be turned away as a precaution against mad cow disease.
Those who spent a cumulative time of three months in Britain since 1980 or six months anywhere in Europe will likely not be allowed to donate blood. It's a precautionary measure to eliminate the risk that mad cow disease might be transmitted by donors who were exposed to infected beef overseas.
It is predicted that blood donations could be cut by 9 percent because of those restrictions.
The Red Cross is urging those who are able to give blood to give more often. It would be particularly helpful for those who have not donated blood and are able to do so to become blood donors.
Sadly, only 5 percent of the 60 percent of Americans estimated to be eligible donors donate their blood — an extremely disappointing figure.
More need to become regular donors, and regular donors need to donate more often to alleviate blood shortages.
Each blood donation helps at least two people, and sometimes three. When someone donates whole blood, it is split into plasma and red cells. In some cases, it's also separated into platelets.
Utahns able to donate blood should make it a regular habit. By calling 1-800-GIVELIFE they will be directed to their nearest blood collection place.
With the Labor Day weekend approaching, more blood will be needed to deal with the anticipated increase in accidents.
Red Cross officials are hopeful that enough people will donate year-round so that holiday crises will be eliminated. That is a goal worthy of support.