Bills this summer making you sweat? Present to donate blood during the American Red Cross “Super Summer Save” campaign June 1 through July 31 for your chance to win one of two $3,000 American Express gift cards useable toward rent, mortgage payments, food or gas and take a break from what’s breaking the bank.

Thousands of people donate blood in the area each year, and their gift has saved countless lives. But the need for blood is constant. During the summer season, the blood supply often suffers, as many donors are on vacation or participating in seasonal activities. With drives held every week throughout Polk County, there are countless opportunities for donors to take a little time out of their schedules to donate a unit of blood and save the lives of up to three people.

On Thursday, June 2, the Polk County American Red Cross Chapter will hold a blood drive at the chapter, located at 231 Ward Street in Columbus from 2 – 6:30 p.m. Call 828-894-2700 for further information or to schedule an appointment.

On Tuesday, June 14, Timken Industries will hold a blood drive at 205 Industrial Park Drive in Columbus from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Call 828-894-6237 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

On Tuesday, June 14, the Saluda Fire and Rescue will hold a blood drive at 199 Walnut Street in Saluda from 2 – 6:30 p.m. Call 828-894-2700 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of two pairs of roundtrip Delta Airline tickets and a $3,000 gift card.

“The past several months have been challenging,” said Joyce Brendel, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region, “but blood donors have still been coming out to help people in our community and across the country. We hope this trend will continue through the summer and that people will see donating blood as an opportunity to give back without having to reach into their wallets.”

The Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 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 lifesaving 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, 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 or visit redcrossblood.org.

– article submitted by Carol Calloway