Nearly 500 people donated blood to Shenzhen Blood Center over the weekend after the center reported a severe shortage of type O and type AB blood.

The center received 161,000 milliliters of blood Saturday and Sunday, fulfilling its immediate need, said Lan Yuxiao, with the blood center.

Mr. Tian, 53, donated 400 milliliters of type O blood, twice the amount he usually donates.

"I should try my best to help others," said Tian.

The center issued a blood shortage alert to media and regular blood donors Friday, when its stock of type O blood dropped to about 52,000 milliliters, about half its normal level, and type AB blood dropped to 12,000 milliliters, one-third its normal stock.

A recent surge in need from hospitals contributed to the blood shortage.

Meanwhile, the recent rainy days greatly reduced the number of blood donors in the past week, said Lan.

In another development, a woman who suffered massive hemorrhage during a Caesarean birth March 7 passed away, said Lan.

The woman, identified by her surname Zhu, received over 30,000 milliliters of blood platelets, plasma and red cells, but it was not enough to save her life.

(Shenzhen Daily March 27, 2006)