Many people have been staying indoor because of the recent low temperatures, and the lack of donors has caused a great shortage of blood supply across the country. With the inventories at its lowest in Taipei and Tainan, the blood banks are urging the public to roll up their sleeves despite the chilly weather.

Temperatures across the island have plummeted in recent weeks, and many people are staying indoors whenever possible.

As a result, supplies at blood banks have fallen to alarmingly low levels.

Many enterprises and social groups are sponsoring blood drives, and one Pingtung company is giving away geese, ducks, and raffle tickets to those that donate blood.

The program has helped to stabilize blood supplies at the Kaohsiung Blood Center, but many are voicing concerns that the company's good intentions will stop people from donating blood under normal circumstances.

Of Taiwan's six blood centers, only Kaohsiung has an adequate blood supply.

Taipei and Tainan are facing the most severe shortages, and currently have only a three-day supply of blood.

The other three centers have five-day supplies, and Type A and Type O blood are particularly in demand.

The centers are calling on the public to make a habit out of periodically donating blood.