While enjoying summer activities and planning vacations, many people forget that the need for blood donations persists. Donors are needed now to help prevent blood shortages, which commonly occur during the summer months. Start the summer off right. Make a blood donation today before you go on summer vacation.

Summer is traditionally a difficult time for maintaining an adequate blood supply as families leave on vacation. Schools and colleges, which account for nearly 21 percent of the blood supply – are also out on break. Meanwhile, blood usage can often rise due to travel related accidents. Each summer, thousands of patients depend on blood to survive.

Donors are urged to give the gift of life on Monday, May 4, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the following location:

Daily Grind Coffee Shop

3960 Mary Eliza Trace,
Marietta, Georgia 30064 

All presenting donors will receive a special gift from the American Red Cross and will be entered in a regional promotion to win a cruise for two. In addition, all participants will receive a Backstage pass to the Vans Warped Tour’s Atlanta Show. And, one lucky participant will receive a ticket to the show!!

The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region provides life-saving blood to approximately 120 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 or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/.