Just because October is the month for ghosts and goblins is no reason to be scared to give blood.

What is frightening is a blood shortage, and the American Red Cross has been in emergency blood appeal mode since June because of low supplies, said Crystal Bennett, donor resources assistant for the Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Region.

Theres no reason to be afraid to give blood,Bennett said.It is relatively painless, there arent many people who have an adverse reaction to it, and it takes about an hour of a persons time to save up to three lives.

On the other hand, theres nothing scarier than a blood shortage, and the need for blood is increasing,she added.

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood, and the red stuff cannot be manufactured, according to the Red Cross.

Of particular concern is the low supply of O-negative, the universal blood type that can be given to anyone in an emergency when there is no time to cross-match a patients blood, Bennett said.

The Greater Alleghenies Region tries to maintain a five-day supply of 500 units of O-negative, and inventories are down to 13 percent, she added.

Phlebotomists draw less than a pint of blood from a donor, Bennett said. Donors should be healthy, and Red Cross staff check their blood pressure, iron levels and temperature before drawing one drop of blood. Donors should also eat a meal before giving blood.

October blood drives at WVU :

• Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1-7 p.m., Boreman Hall, sponsored by the WVU Red Cross Club

• Monday, Oct. 6, 1-7 p.m., Student Recreation Center, sponsored by the WVU Band

• Thursday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Stansbury Hall, sponsored by WVU ROTC

• Thursday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Health Sciences Center, John Jones Conference Room, appointments only (598-4095)

• Tuesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., College of Law, main lobby

• Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1-7 p.m., Student Recreation Center

• Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1-7 p.m., Wesley United Methodist Church, sponsored by WVU Greeks

• Thursday, Oct. 30, 1-7 p.m., Stalnaker Hall

For more information, call the American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Region, at 1-800-732-0383.