DAYTON, Ohio — Every summer, blood donation centers struggle to find enough donors to match the needs of their communities. One blood center in Dayton is getting creative to bring more people in.

Giving blood is not for everybody, but for longtime donor Judy LaMusga, the cause is very close to her heart. 

“Where else could you walk out of here knowing that what you did saved lives?” LaMusga said. 

LaMusga is donating for the 519th time as part of the World Blood Donor Blood Drive. The national campaign aims to boost the blood supply as demand continues to rise. 

Community Blood Center Communications Manager Mark Pompilio said with fewer blood drives from companies and high schools, maintaining a strong supply is extremely difficult. 

But, so far, the community is meeting the need. 

“We had over 400 donors a week ago,” Pompilio said. “That gave us suddenly a six day supply. We went from a three day supply up to six.” 

To boost its supply, the CBC is offering incentives for people to give blood. 

Donors will receive Kings Island tickets while supplies last, or a $10 Kroger gift card and T-shirt. 

For donors like LaMusga, they don’t need the extras because giving back is a gift itself. 

“I’ve volunteered for a lot of things, but never where I could walk and say I just saved the lives of possibly eight people,” LaMusga said. “So no, I have no goal. I’m just coming in every two weeks as long as I’m healthy, as long as they let me, I’m coming in.”  

Anyone interested in becoming a donor may visit the CBC’s appointment scheduling website.