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Holiday fun can push blood donation to the bottom of the to-do list. Winter weather and seasonal illness can also impact blood supplies. The Red Cross needs donors to make giving blood a priority this season to ensure they meet the needs of patients during the holidays. Now is the time to give the gift of life – and get a chance to win gifts. Your donation may save up to three lives.

For the sixth year in a row, the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS^® (OBAR) is partnering with the Red Cross and Holy Redeemer by the Sea Catholic Church (HRCC) for the OBX Community Blood Drive. The blood drive takes place Tuesday, December 5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Wednesday, December 6 from noon-6 p.m. at HRCC (301 W Kitty Hawk Road, Kitty Hawk).

Power red and blood will be collected both days. Eligible donors with types O, B negative or A negative blood are encouraged to make a power red donation at this blood drive. Power red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.

In addition, a diverse blood supply is important. The Red Cross is requesting donations from all ethnicities because a patient is more likely to find a compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or a similar ethnic group. Right now, blood donations from individuals who are black are urgently needed to help meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Find more information at RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.

Making an appointment is recommended to reduce wait time. Visit redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive, and enter “OBX” as the sponsor code. You may also download the “Blood Donor App” to set up your profile, make your appointment, and track your donations.

The goal of this drive is to get 90 donors registered each day. Organizers are asking the community to help make this event a success and save lives.

OBAR REALTOR^® members and community partner/affiliates should wear name badges or have a business card at check-in, noted an OBAR news release about the event.

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