The American Red Cross also said 40 percent of the population is able to donate, but only 5 percent do. Even so, officials said many people think their donations wouldn't matter. But Mandy Vactor of Centre County would tell you differently.

"In November of 1997, while attending Penn State University, I was diagnosed with leukemia," said Vactor. "It flipped my world upside down."

Vactor couldn't believe she was diagnosed with the blood cancer. She said she needed a blood transfusion immediately, and when she started chemotherapy, she also needed platelets. But what Vactor's doctor told her changed her way of thinking.

"He said, 'What you need is single donor platelets, and we don't have those.' So I said, 'Go get some. You have a hospital full of people, go get some.' And he said, 'It's not that easy,'" recalled Vactor. "He said, 'First, people have to want to come out and donate platelets.' That's when I realized my life depended on the generosity and selflessness of others, and that was pretty sobering."

Fortunately for Vactor, the blood supply increased, and she received life-saving blood and platelets.

"This April 21st, I will be celebrating my 10-year anniversary in remission," said Vactor. "I was able to celebrate my 30th birthday, get married, and I have a wonderful 4-year-old son."

Her bout with leukemia -- and being saved by strangers -- led Vactor to work for the American Red Cross at the Centre Communities Chapter. She said thanks to people who took one or two hours out of their day to donate blood, she can continue helping others who know all too well what she went through.

"Just take that time and be selfless," encouraged Vactor. "Because of that, I am able to be alive, to do those things, and live each day."