CELINA-January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month and persons may donate locally on January 4, 2012 beginning at 12:30 p.m. and continuing until 4:30 p.m. at the Celina Community Center located at 145 Cordell Highway here.

All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors 18 and younger.

Volunteering to donate blood benefits everyone.  Just one donation has the potential to save up to three lives.  Your blood donation boosts the blood supply in your community.  Plus, you can feel good knowing you donated blood to help save lives.

The Red Cross would not be able to supply hospitals with lifesaving blood and blood products without the support of generous volunteer blood donors like you. Your winter blood donation is important because blood supply levels often drop this time of year. Inclement weather and illness can cause the cancellation of blood drives and/or keep donors from traveling to donation sites.

The American Red Cross is the largest blood collection and distribution organization in the United States, providing blood to nearly 3,000 hospitals nationwide.

Thank you for celebrating National Volunteer Blood Donor Month by donating blood.

To make an appointment or to learn more call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.