Marin Shankin and her mother Maria are big fans of “Breaking Bad,” the hit TV show that starred actor Bryan Cranston.

When Cranston posted that he would be at a Red Cross blood drive at Pacifico Ford on July 13th, both knew they had to make the trip to see him in person.

“I saw on Instagram that my good friend Walter White was going to be here,” Marin said.

Walter White is the fictional character Cranston played.

One day before Marin would celebrate her 21st birthday, she and her mother headed to the blood drive.

“I was like, ‘oh, maybe it'll be fun if I donate my blood with Bryan,’” she said.

Marin said even though blood drives happen at schools and other places, normally it might not be the type of event she found herself attending until now.

“I’ve just never done it before.”

Marin had been studying abroad in Italy before coming home for the summer. She and her mom have been re-watching “Breaking Bad” all the way through for the second time.

“We’re right in the middle of it and we’re huge fans the first time around. We love it even more this time,” Maria said. “We jumped in the car and came down.”

Cranston donated blood at the drive and inspired many other people like Marin to donate too. The mom and daughter duo said it probably won’t be the last time Marin donates.

Maria said, “You need somebody to get you started and if it's Bryan Cranston, then so be it, right?”

According to Maria, over a period of 20 years, Marin’s dad had a “very bad heart problem” and received several transfusions.

“He had two open heart surgeries, and he needed blood many times.So, it's a good thing she's doing,” Maria said.

Ikea Smith is a phlebotomist who has worked for the Red Cross for 8 years. She befriended the pair at the blood drive and talked to Marin as she checked on her during her donation.

“I tried to make her feel a little more comfortable.” She said, “I just kind of talked to her, just to get to know her a little bit, found out that tomorrow's her birthday, her 21st birthday, so she was really nice.”

Ikea said it made her feel good to see a first-time blood donor and she told Marin something she’s witnessed before, “Once you start donating, you’ll want to continue to donate.”

Marin agreed. She said donating blood might become a new birthday tradition.

“It’s a good thing. She’ll never forget it,” Maria said.

Marin has something to say to other young people who are thinking of donating but haven’t done so yet.

“You should do it. It’s not bad. It’s not hard and I feel like you’re young and healthy and able and can help other people.”

Right now, for only the second time ever, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis. All blood types are needed but especially type O.

Nearly half of the people who live in the United States have type O positive blood and O negative is what doctors use first in an emergency when there isn’t time to figure out a patient’s blood type.

If just three more people donate at each blood drive this summer, the Red Cross says the blood supply will stabilize. If it doesn’t, doctors may have to make decisions about patient care based on whether or not they have available blood on the shelves. Some surgeries could be delayed.

If you would like to make an appointment to donate, you can get more info at RedCrossBlood.org.

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- Written by Jenny Farley