Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Blood Drive Friday

The Arkansas Region of American Red Cross Blood Services and Gurdon Community Senior Adult Center announce the annual `Firecracker 500' campaign, which is a blood drive.

Communities all over the state are joining in the race to save lives.

Gurdon will host its `Firecracker 500' blood drive Friday, June 28, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The drive will be at Gurdon Senior Adult Center located at 410 E. Main. Each donor will receive a commemorative t-shirt.

The need for blood increases tremendously during the summer months. Many large businesses don't host blood drives because their work means being in the heat all day, or, they have numerous employees taking their vacation. High schools, colleges and universities are also on summer break, halting blood drives in some areas for three months.

Therefore, Red Cross has less opportunity to collect blood during the summer, when the need is critical.

The Arkansas Region of American Red Cross provides the total supply of blood to over 80% of Arkansas hospitals. Each day, at least 300 units of blood must be collected to ensure patients in Arkansas hospitals receive the blood they need.

If you are at least 17 years of age and weigh a minimum of 105 pounds, you may be eligible to donate blood.

For more information about donating blood or this blood drive, contact Red Cross at 1-800-448-3543.