The Ruritan clubs of Frankford, Maxwelton, Renick, and Williamsburg are sponsoring a Community Blood Drive on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1-6 p.m. at the Greenbrier Valley Airport. Members are encouraging friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members, and all community members to come out and help save a life by giving a blood donation.

Blood or platelet donation can be intimidating and even scary for some. One of the reasons people admit to never giving blood is their fear of needles – a fear that many Red Cross donors have overcome. “For a first-time donor, drink plenty of fluids, and eat a good breakfast,” said Red Cross blood donor Chris Hunt. “It’s not difficult – you can do this!”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country. Eligible individuals of all blood types are needed to make an appointment to give today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can help even more people by inviting a family member, friend or co-worker to donate too. The Red Cross also advises individuals to complete a RapidPass online health history questionnaire to help speed up the donation process.

Donation appointments are encouraged to reduce possible wait times at blood donation sites. The Red Cross has added about 25,000 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to help accommodate an influx of donors.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

If you have any questions, please call Debbie Bowman at 304-645-4709.