Give blood and make March a “lucky” month

This month, the American Red Cross is holding seven blood drives in Cowlitz and Pacific counties that are open to the public.

Why not celebrate St. Paddy’s Day and wear green to give blood? Blood donations bring more than luck. It is a life-saving product for children, trauma, burn, transplant and cancer patients.

Blood donations take approximately one hour. Donors must be 16 years or older, (those who are 16-17 years old must have parental permission; you may print a parental permission form from the Web site http://www.nwbloodredcross.org), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors are encouraged to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water at least four hours before donating. A healthy person can donate blood every 56 days, approximately six times a year.

Blood drives scheduled for March 2007 are:

March 9, Starbucks Coffee Company , 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., 620 Triangle Mall, Longview.

March 15, Columbia Analytical Services, 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., 1317 S. 13th Ave., Kelso By appointment only, call 695-8522.

Mar. 15, Naselle Fire Hall 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., Hwy 4 and Hwy 401, Naselle.

March 16, Castle Rock High School, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., 5180 Westside Highway, Castle Rock.

March 26, Kelso High School 8 a.m.- 1 p.m., 1904 Allen Street, Kelso.

March 28, R.A. Long High School, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., 2903 Nichols Blvd., Longview.

March 30, Oak Tree Restaurant, 2 p.m.- 7 p.m., 1020 Atlantic St., Woodland.

The Cowlitz County Blood Center, located at 1265 14th Ave., Longview, has regularly scheduled drives every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-6 p.m. To make a blood donation appointment at the donor center, call 1-800 GIVE LIFE. Additional drives are held throughout the county for the convenience of residents in other areas. To make a blood donation at a site near you, call (360) 695-8522, or go online to http://www.nwblood.redcross.org for more information.

If your business or organization would like to hold a blood drive in Cowlitz County, call Debbie Dorman, 360-780-0106, or email her at DormanD2@usa.redcross.org. For businesses/organizations in all other counties call 1-800 -GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543).