With the winter weather behind us and the skies shining bright with sunshine, there’s no better time than now to plan your perfect vacation. The American Red Cross is rewarding those who give from the heart to help save lives with a chance to win one of two pairs of domestic airline tickets from Delta Air Lines.

For your chance to “Spring to the Skies,” simply stop by your local Red Cross donation center from April 1 to June 30 to donate blood or platelets. Two lucky presenting donors will be selected at random to receive a pair of round-trip tickets.

On Monday, May 9, the Polk Community Blood Drive will be held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, located on Melrose Avenue in Tryon, from 12:30 – 5 p.m. Call 828 -894-2700 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The need for blood is constant. Even in the spring and summer months, when people are seemingly their healthiest, those with illness, cancer or trauma need help. The Red Cross encourages donors year-round to help make sure the blood supply in our region remains at adequate levels to provide for those in need.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross Carolina Blood Services Region Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in 103 hospitals. Approximately 1600 people need to give blood or platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. 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. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.