Shanghai Blood Center and Shanghai Volunteer Association are appealing for local people to donate blood.

So far the city has plenty of blood, but is suffering a lack of platelet.

About 2,000 people donated blood yesterday, making the total donation reach 2,200 liters in the past three days.

"A bag of full blood can be kept for only 35 days so we suggest donors make emergency registrations beforehand," said Song Qi from Shanghai Blood Administration Office.

"We will call them whenever the central government orders Shanghai to transport blood to quake-hit regions. However, we encourage people to donate platelet. The city only can collect one third of the 6,000 liters of platelet local clinical demands annually and most platelet is used on leukemia children, cancer patients and trauma sufferers."

Health people aged between 18 and 55 can donate platelet, 28 days after a previous donation. The interval for full blood donation is six months, officials said.

Those making an appointment for blood donation can go to Shanghai Blood Center at No. 1191 on Hongqiao Road, call 6275 8257 (8am-4pm) or visit the Websites www.volunteer.sh.cn and www.sbc.org.cn.