Maureen Gurka and Amanda Mechling know the importance of blood donations.

That's because both women have been on the receiving end of blood and platelet transfusions after serious health issues arose.For Gurka, the need for a transfusion came after a hysterectomy in 2012."The doctor accidentally nicked a vessel while doing the hysterectomy," the Summit Hill woman said, adding that she was discharged before realizing something was gravely wrong. "I knew something wasn't right, so I told my husband I needed to go back to the hospital."Gurka was taken back into surgery - after getting in a crash in the ambulance bringing her back to the hospital - and was given two units of blood."Had it not been for the blood (transfusions), I really would've died," she said.The circumstances for Mechling were quite different, but the outcome was the same."When I was a freshman in high school, my mom had noticed bruises all over my body," the Nesquehoning woman said. "She took me to the doctor early in the day to have blood work done, and later that day, the doctor was calling my mom to have her take me to the hospital to have me admitted."My platelet counts were so low that I could have bled internally to death if I was hit hard enough by something or bled out if I had accidentally cut myself too deep."Mechling stayed at St. Luke's Miners Campus in Coaldale until a platelet transfusion was able to be shipped in."It was scary, especially because I was so young," she said.Both women were saved as a result of people choosing to roll up their sleeve and donate blood during area blood drives.But there is a problem brewing both regionally and nationally.Both Miller-Keystone Blood Center, which is the sole provider for Blue Mountain Health System, Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network in the region; as well as the American Red Cross, which ships blood outside the region, are both seeing dangerously low red blood and platelet supplies due to the winter and holiday season."The holidays always represent a challenge for us blood banks," said Deb E. Otto, director of donor resources for Miller-Keystone. "High schools and colleges are on break, businesses have skeleton crews, reducing the number of mobile blood drives significantly. We see fewer donors at our donor centers over the holidays as well. People are busy preparing. Add to that, this year's seasonal illnesses seem to have arrived early and with a vengeance."Our inventory of red blood cells is dangerously low and our platelet donor schedules are far short of where they need to be," she said.The Red Cross reported that hectic holiday schedules for many regular blood donors contributed to about 37,000 fewer donations in November and December than what was needed to keep up with the demand."Blood and platelet donations are critically needed in the coming days so that patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they are counting on," said Nick Gehrig, communications director for Red Cross Blood Services. "Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in."Otto said that what most people don't understand when it comes to blood donations is the full use for the one pint of blood that is collected.Not only is it used during surgeries and when people are in accidents, but blood donations also help cancer patients throughout their treatment and for burn victims."Cancer patients are the largest user of blood and platelet products," Otto said. "One patient may use up to 100 units during the course of their treatment. These transfusions help to make continued treatment possible."Both blood centers are asking people to schedule an appointment to donate or go to a blood drive near them.The requirements to become a donor include being at least 17 years old, weighing at least 110 pounds and being in good health.For a complete list of eligibility, visit Miller-Keystone Blood Center's eligibility guidelines at

www.giveapint.org/donate-blood/are-you-eligible-to-donate-blood.