SHANGHAI, Oct. 5 -- Shanghai's shortage of Type A blood has been rectified, thanks to the generosity of its citizens.

The city's Blood Administration Office said yesterday that 3,172 people donated more than 650 liters of blood during the first three days of the weeklong holidays.

The city has been short of Type A since summer, despite authorities repeatedly calling on residents for donations.

"It is a long-term task to keep a balanced storage of blood," said Lu Jinong, an official at the office.

To encourage donations, all the city's 30-odd blood-collecting vehicles and centers are operating throughout the holidays. Officials said they received many donations to celebrate National Day on Monday.

Since the nation's Blood Donation Law was enacted on October 1, 1998, authorities have organized many initiatives to increase people's awareness of the practice.

For example, a sculpture depicting a family of three was unveiled in Minhang District yesterday. The district's blood-donation promotion association also donated 15,000 yuan (US$2,000) to a child aged nine who has received a stem-cell transplant to fight leukemia.

By September this year, Minhang had collected 4,200 liters of blood.