(WHAS11) - It's the gift the life, but the largest group of those who give is getting smaller.
WHAS11 is partnering with the local American Red Cross to increase the size of that pool of donors, asking the next generation to step up especially minorities.
One of Dionte Tower's favorite hobbies is drawing, and specifically drawing SpongeBob Squarepants.
It's a leisure task, but ask Dionte what's required every four weeks and his mother Lakeshia Montgomery tears up.
"I get a shot in my arm and I get blood taken out and new blood put in," said Dionte.
At 2-weeks-old, doctors diagnosed Dionte with sickle cell anemia, a blood disorder, and the way doctor's treat that disorder is a procedure called a "red blood cell exchange."
His mother, Lakeshia Montgomery said, "He needs the blood in order for him to stay healthy. He's not able to produce the blood cells."
But the Red Cross fears blood, something so biologically abundant, will become a precious commodity in the near future.
Right now, World War II veterans, people in their 80s, are the most reliable donors for the Red Cross.
"There's something about that World War II crowd that is unique. They still believe that they have something to offer," said Loni White, Red Cross Regional Communications Coordinator.
"If they would let me I would donate blood once a month, but they won't let you," said James Alexander, an 84-year-old regular donor.
He is living proof of that commitment. Alexander has given blood for 40 years, donating 214 pints, just two pints short of 27 gallons of blood. The Red Cross says one pint saves up to three lives, do the math and James has potentially saved 642 people.
"When I go before the judgment seat of Christ, I hope he'll remember that and give me a break," said Alexander. "I plan to donate blood until I'm dead."
But that's exactly what concerns the Red Cross, who will take James' place? Who'll be there for people like Dionte?
The Red Cross says mobilizing the next generation of young people is difficult.
"Probably people just think someone else will do it, I don't have to worry about it. What if everyone thought like that?"
It's equally as tough to recruit minorities. Right now 90% of the blood pool comes from the Caucasian community. African Americans, for instance, donate a little over 3% of the supply.
And Loni says people don't realize the importance of a diverse blood supply because different races of blood have different antigens, meaning, "their blood is more compatible with person of same ethnic/racial background and a blood transfusion is more successful."
Plus over 70% of African Americans carry O or B blood types and over 50% of Latinos have type O blood, the common types of blood hospitals look for.
It's a concept Freda Gardner understands, she recently became a regular donor.
"I'm not a person that's eager to have needles," said Gardner.
But, she's donated 18 pints of blood, but now "emergency" takes on a new meaning for her.
"Every time this helicopter takes off from the hospital there could be a need for blood."
But she can't do it all.
And fortunately, the Red Cross' plea isn't lost on everyone. We found two young people who donate regularly.
"I know that it does save lives and the type of blood I do have is O+ and anyone can use it," said one donor. "It makes me feel good. Karma, I could be 30, 40 years down the road and need it and I hope there's someone there for me."
But the number of minorities and young people isn't enough.
"If they don't become blood donors, the blood supply will be very, very thin by the time they need it."
And then there's Dionte, a 9-year-old boy who can't produce healthy blood on his own and has to rely on the blood supply. His life depends on it.
"There isn't anything sexy about being a blood donor, but there's something profound about it. It means that you are saving a person's life and there's nothing better that you can do."
To find out where you can donate blood, call the Red Cross toll free at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or .
