The Washington-Wilkes Community Blood Drive sponsored by the Wills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Shepeard Community Blood Center will be held Thursday, August 7, at the First United Methodist Church on Spring Street.

The date for the drive is earlier in the month than usual, therefore donors are urged to take note.

The drive will be in the fellowship hall of the church from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m.

The last blood drive in May had 62 donors. Seventy donors are being sought for the August drive. All donors will receive free T-shirts and will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 gas card. There will be cookies and drinks for all.

It's always difficult in the summertime to collect the amount of blood needed because many people are taking vacations. Cancer does not take a vacation, nor do heart attacks, emergency surgeries, and other emergencies. Blood needs to be readily available when it is needed.

On behalf of the Shepeard Community Blood Center, Linda Walker reminds Wilkes Countians to donate blood on August 7. All donors must weigh at least 110 lbs. and be in good health.

She also reminds donors not to forget their picture identification.