More than 45 volunteers recently helped fill Mission Valley Bank with a less traditional deposit — pints of blood.

“This is the first time that we’ve actually done this, and we just wanted to be a part of the community because there’s a shortage of blood,” said Marti Heinbau, regional manager for the bank. “So we just wanted to show our support.”

Heinbau regularly gives blood and gets calls about every two months to donate because her blood type is O-negative. People with any blood type can accept blood from O-negative donors.

The Mission Valley blood drive collected more than 45 pints on Friday and Monday, which will be split between Providence Holy Cross and Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial hospitals, Heinbau said.

“Blood only has a 42-day shelf life to it,” she said. “And you just never know when a family member is going to need blood — or yourself, for that matter.”

psmith@the-signal.com

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