Every so often, we print the news in our paper of upcoming blood drives. LifeSouth and the Red Cross both offer several opportunities per year for people like you to help “give the gift of life” by donating blood.

Three of those opportunities are coming up.

• Vina High School’s BETA Club will be hosting a blood drive Jan. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school.
• LifeSouth Community Blood Center will host a blood drive at Russellville Hospital Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 pm. LifeSouth is the primary supplier of blood products to Russellville Hospital.
• The Red Cross will be in Franklin County Feb. 12, when Russellville High School will be the site for a Red Cross blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This county demonstrates time and again how charitable it can be. Particularly during the holiday season, we see our friends and neighbors open their hearts to the community through food drives, toy drives, free dinners, warm clothing giveaways and more.

Now that the holiday season is over, however, people are still in need. One of those needs is blood donations.

Whether it’s a cancer patient or a car crash victim, all kinds of situations can lead to someone finding themselves in need of a blood transfusion. They rely on the generosity of healthy, giving people who are willing to donate blood for those in need.

It doesn’t cost anything to donate, and it doesn’t take very much time. We know not everyone can afford to make a large monetary donation to a cause, or commit their time to ongoing volunteer efforts, but giving blood just might be the right opportunity for even the busiest to still lend a hand.

According to the Red Cross, this time of year often provides a challenge in being able to recruit enough donors. A blood shortage could affect hospitals’ ability to care for patients.

We encourage you, if you are able, to consider donating blood as a way to help those who might need it. You never know – you might need blood yourself one day. This is a way to pay it forward.

To participate in the LifeSouth blood drive Feb. 5, contact Deborah Lindsey to schedule an appointment at 256-332-8676 or by email at deborah.lindsey@curaehealth.org. For more information on Red Cross blood drives, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

We think you’ll be glad you did.