TRAVERSE CITY -- Summer in northern Michigan is good news, but not for local blood banks.

Representatives at Michigan Blood said that donations drop off sharply in the summer.

Holly Sika, manager of donor relations at Michigan Blood, said that local high schools provide a large portion of the blood needed during the year. But when school's out, so are donations. "We offer them $5 Subway cards if they come in during the summer," she says.

In addition to blood drives, the center relies on regular donors to help fill what they say is a growing need. William Ledford, a Traverse City resident, said he's just doing his duty. "It just takes a few minutes, it's a good civic duty. And blood is always needed," he said. He likes the idea that if someone is injured his blood "will be right there on the shelf ready to give them."

Traverse City native Ken Warner agrees. "it takes maybe 45 minutes at the most and it's almost painless," he said.

Donors like these are what help Michigan Blood collect the 53 pints of blood per day that they need to meet the needs of the Traverse Area. Sika said that around the holidays, "people are less apt to give blood," adding to the shortage.

Days around the holiday are considered critical need days, when the center tries to encourage donations.