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Give the gift of life for a shopping spree
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Upcoming Effingham County blood drive locations

Rincon  
Dec. 9, 1-7 p.m., Goshen United Methodist Church, 6227 Highway 21 South
Dec. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Lovett's Tradin' Post, 6014 Highway 21 South

Springfield  
Nov. 28, 2-7 p.m., Effingham Hospital, 459 Highway 119 South

ATLANTA — Each time a blood donor gives the gift of life, he or she gets something back – the knowledge that in taking the time to donate one unit of blood, they may have saved up to three lives. Through Dec. 31, blood and platelet donors will get even more back when they are entered to win a $1,000 gift card courtesy of the American Red Cross.

The “Give a Little, Buy a Lot!” campaign is aimed at increasing blood and platelet donations during a time of year when distractions due to school schedules and the holidays often lead to a dangerous dip in the available blood supply. Anyone who gives blood or platelets through the Red Cross during the promotion period will be automatically entered to win one of three gift cards.

“This is a critical time of year for blood and platelet donations,” said Randy Edwards, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. “In addition to the gifts they’ll give to family and friends this holiday season, we’re asking people to also take the time to give the gift of life. This shopping card is one way we can show generous donors how much we appreciate that gift.”

The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region provides life-saving blood to more than 130 hospitals and must have 1,200 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders, and other illnesses receive life-saving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given safely every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets.  

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visit redcrossblood.org.