The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center will be holding several local blood drives during the month of August:

Tuesday, August 7

Hercules

2 – 5 p.m.

In the parking lot,

1 Mill Street, Kenedy

Sunday, August 19

Our Lady of Peace

8:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

1 Notre Dame Plaza,

In the parking lot, Kenedy

Sunday, August 26

First United Methodist

Church of Karnes City

9:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

In the semi-circle parking lot,

201 N. Esplanade, Karnes City

Anyone 17 years of age or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in good general health may donate blood. Donors must present photo identification. All presenting donors will receive a navy blue baseball cap. For information on these drives, please contact Tracy Sommer at 800-442-7770.

A $25 Wal-Mart gift card will be given to those who present to give blood twice this summer between May 1^st and September 30^th. The gift card will be mailed out after the second donation.

Donors should eat at least four hours before their donation, and drink plenty of fluids, such as water and fruit juice, before and after donating. Fasting is not recommended. South Texas Blood & Tissue Center must collect at least 500 units a day to supply the needs of South Texas patients. Blood is perishable. Red blood cells last only 42 days, while platelets, which control bleeding, last only 5 days.

The mission of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is to collect blood and tissue from volunteer donors and to provide the community with the highest quality health care at the lowest possible cost.