The Red Cross blood drive Jan.

21 at First Presbyterian Church in

Wadesboro was less than a success.

"Typically there are 40 or 50 people

who come," Judy Duston said.

Duston is the director of blood services

for the Union County chapter

of the American Red Cross.

The drive collected 23 units, or

pints, of blood. A pint is taken from

each donor.

"The last couple of months have

been very poor," she said. "I don't

know if it's gas or the economy."

Many of the units were donated

after 4 p.m.

Duston detailed just how much

blood was used in several situations.

She said a person in an automobile

accident may need up to 100

pints of blood, while a heart surgery

required 10 pints.

She urged citizens to donate regularly,

while warning some citizens

seem to think the availability of

blood is a given.

"If there's a disaster, everyone

comes out and wants to donate all

at once," she said.

Cecelia Bowers is a regular

donor.

"It's just a little something I can

do to help people," Bowers said.

Duston said a pint of blood could

save up to three lives.

The Red Cross holds a blood drive

at the church every month.