The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to join in its lifesaving mission by giving blood.

The Red Cross depends on blood donors across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals. Donors of all blood types are needed to help accident and burn victims, patients undergoing organ transplants, those receiving cancer treatments and others who rely on blood products.

Make an appointment to become a hero to patients in need by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

There will be a blood drive from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3 at Davie County Early College – Helen Gantt Building, Salisbury Road, Mocksville.