PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - A higher-than-expected demand for blood from hospitals in the region has led Canadian Blood Services in Charlottetown to send out a plea for donations.

Summer is always a slower time for blood donations, but this year is even slower than usual.

"For us in P.E.I. at this point, in our Charlottetown centre on Fitzroy Street, we have had a decrease of about 150 units, 150 less donations than we had a year ago at this time," Peter MacDonald, director of donor and clinic services with Canadian Blood Services in Atlantic Canada, told CBC News Tuesday.

"But what has really kind of aggravated that has been the fact that we're seeing hospital demand almost double to what we forecasted going into this year."

MacDonald hopes more blood donors come forward to ensure an adequate supply through the summer.

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