BEND, OR -- Local businesses are misspelling words on their signs, ain an effort to help the American Red Cross. Jennifer Shaw, with the Red Cross in Deschutes County, says the agency has a shortage of blood donations in types A, B and O, "We're partnering with a lot of different companies and businesses, asking them to take those letters out of their logo, as just a statement to raise awareness about the need for blood."

Shaw tells KBND News they need 500 pints a week, "We serve St. Charles in Bend, Prineville, Madras, and then we support John Day and Burns hospitals as well. So there is a great need out there, and especially, it tends to go up - we have more traumas in summer than we do in the wintertime because more people are out on the road and doing activities." But meeting that demand is difficult. Shaw says many have good intentions, but not enough people actually make it to a center or donation event, "Only three of every 100 people in the U.S. actually donate blood, so there just simply isn't enough people to help the patients that we serve."

Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment through the Red Cross website or mobile app, "We're open here in Bend four days a week, and we also go out to other communities in Central Oregon - Redmond, Prineville, Sisters, Madras - on a regular basis." A list of upcoming donation events around the region can also be found online.