Middletown blood drive set for April 29      

[APRIL 20, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the central Illinois area, there will be a blood drive on April 29 at Middletown Middle School, 75 1250th St. in Middletown. The hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon. For your convenience, please call Mary Jo at 445-2831 to schedule an appointment. Of course walk-ins are always welcome and sincerely appreciated.

Your help is vital to protecting your community's blood supplies for cancer patients, burn victims, accident patients and others facing surgeries. Chances are that you or someone special to you will need a blood transfusion during your lifetime. The blood supply is totally dependent upon volunteers who will take a few minutes to roll up their sleeve and donate blood.

Blood donation is a rewarding civic duty. Many people wish they could be more active in civic activities but can't because of time restrictions. However, you can donate blood in less than an hour and make an impact that can last a lifetime for someone.

If you are healthy, please do your part by donating blood. Help protect your community, family and friends by ensuring that blood is available at your local hospitals when it is needed. Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days. Fortunately it is a renewable resource, but it depends on people who care.

The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is a not-for-profit organization that provides blood for 20 local hospitals in central and southern Illinois. Please call [phone] for more information about donating.

[Central Illinois Community Blood Center news release]