Next Wills Memorial/Shepheard Center blood drive set for First Methodist Church on Thursday, Feb. 14

The next community blood drive sponsored by the Wills Memorial Hospital Auxiliary with Shepeard Community Blood Center will be held on Thursday, February 14, in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church, Washington. The entrance is on Spring Street. Blood can be given from 2 until 7 p.m.

The November drive was a great success with 61 donors participating. That means that 162 lives may have been saved.

"It would be wonderful if we could have 70 donors at the February drive," says Eleanor Blackmon, cochairman of the drive. "We received lots of applause from Shepeard's staff for the November results, and know that Wilkes Countians can be relied on to give blood."

"Blood donors are silent heroes," Blackmon continued. "The recipient may never know the name of the donor, but will never forget the gift of life."

Here are 10 reasons to give blood: .Your one blood donation gives three local patients struggling for life a fighting chance. . Excess iron actually promotes the growth of cancer in the body by producing free radicals and feeding cancer cells. Blood donation is the only practical and effective method for the removal of excess iron. For men with moderate excess iron accumulation, periodic blood donation may help to reduce the iron the body stores to a more healthy level. .Studies show that donating blood just three times a year may lower your blood pressure; reduce your risk of heart attack by 50 percent; lower chances of developing colon, lung, bladder, and esophageal cancers by 40 percent. .The gift of blood is the gift of life. .If all blood donors gave at least twice a year, it would help prevent blood shortages. .Since a pint is a pound, you lose a pound every time you donate blood. .Thirty-seven percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate; less than 10 percent do on a yearly basis. .There is no substitute for human blood. .Every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion. .Blood has to be available before it is needed.

The Washington-Wilkes Blood Drive provides blood for Wills Memorial Hospital, as well as other hospital in the area.

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