Ventura – United Blood Services needs to collect over 4,000 pints of blood before the Labor Day weekend, in order to ensure a steady and ample supply through the holiday. Blood supplies have been steady throughout the summer for most blood types, however in anticipation of the holiday demand, United Blood Services is issuing today a 4,000 pint challenge to ensure that supplies of all blood types are at sufficient levels. There is a special need for type O-Negative blood at this time.

As a special thank you to summertime blood donors, United Blood Services has teamed up with Jiffy Lube and Toyota and Scion of Santa Maria to offer the Jiffy Lube Drive To Save Lives Prius Giveaway. All blood donors (age 18 and older) will be automatically entered in the giveaway, in which one lucky blood donor (through September 30th) will be selected to win a new 2010 Toyota Prius. In addition, all blood donors will also earn points toward DVD’s, movie certificates and other prizes.

Six Central Coast blood donors, including one from the Ventura area, have been selected thus far to be among twenty lucky finalists for the 2009 Jiffy Lube Drive To Save Lives Prius Giveaway. One lucky winner from the 20 finalists will become the proud owner of a new 2010 Toyota Prius, at a special prize ceremony in early October. For complete details on the Jiffy Lube Drive To Save Lives Prius Giveaway, visit the blood bank’s website at UnitedBloodServices.org/CentralCoast.

United Blood Services is offering this giveaway to draw attention to the serious need for blood throughout the summer and to encourage donors to make that extra effort to give blood regularly. Blood is especially needed now as families take their final summer vacation. Eligible donors are asked to give in the next three weeks to ensure a steady supply during these last days of summer.

Donations are especially needed before Labor Day and may be made Monday through Friday at the new UBS Center in Ventura at 2223 East Eastman or in Thousand Oaks on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the North Star Plaza at 1321 Thousand Oaks Blvd, near Roxy’s Deli. There are also a number of community mobile blood drives happening throughout the region. Donors are asked to call the United Blood Services at 1-800-715-3699 to make an appointment or go online to www.unitedbloodservices.org. Appointments are appreciated, but not necessary. Walk-ins are also welcome.