Lockridge Fire and Rescue hosting blood drive Dec. 27

LOCKRIDGE ? Lockridge Fire and Rescue will host a community blood drive from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Lockridge Senior Center.

Donors who last gave blood on or before Nov. 1 are eligible to give at this drive.

For appointments to donate, contact Marcia Wesley at 319-696-2543 or visit www.bloodcenterimpact.org and use code 5045 to locate the drive.

According to the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, because the holiday season is challenging for the blood supply ? donations traditionally dip about 20 percent ? donor promotions are being offered. All donors will receive a gray, long-sleeved T-shirt, with ?Lifesaver? printed on the front.

Potential blood donors must be at least 17 years of age, although a 16-year-old can donate with a completed parental permission form available at www.bloodcenter.org. The forms also are available in Spanish.

Donors must weigh more than 110 pounds. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure can be accepted as eligible donors. A photo I.D. is required to donate.

For questions about eligibility, call the blood center at 800-747-5401.

According to blood center personnel, blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour.

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is the provider of blood and blood components to more than 90 hospitals in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa, including Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield.