takes less than half an hour.

Moreover, all donors will receive a free T-shirt or Thanksgiving apron while supplies last.

In addition, free cholesterol screenings will be available upon request.

The following Lincoln County residents donated blood at the September 10 community blood drive: Thomas W. Wright, Jr., Tommy I. Poole, Craig C. Jenkins, Carol Spence, Alma P. Amason, Paul A. Flannigan, Ralph A. Martin, Ellen V. Butler, James E. Butler, Orion N. Kujala, Marsha W. Scott, Rita W. Hussey, Jimmie A. Goldman.

Allen D. Hunter, Carla W. Hudler, Harriet B. Champion, Cherry M. Rowland, Robert T. Poss, William D. Lessard, Joy D. Batten, Bonny S. Rayner, Tammy R. Smith, Teiretta D. Leverett, Barbara B. Doyle, Joyce R. Guthrie, Mildred C. Norman, April L. Dunaway, Jack G. Smalley, Roy L. Stringfield, Dory A. Bentley.

John M. Thurmond, Monica S. Thurmond, Deborah M. Dent, Gail E. Salmon, Callie C. Bryan, Bethanie M. Bridges, Howie F. Gunby, Trudy B. Edmunds, Rosemary Weser, Barney A. Aycock, John M. Elam, Audrey J. Tanner, Barbara M. Smith, Cassie J. Smith, Jamie D. Reese, Tammy B. Wright, and Keith S. Etheridge.

Important facts about blood donation include:

There are four main blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Blood centers often run short of types O and B.

Every 10 seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion.

Red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days.

Giving blood will not decrease your strength.

After donating blood, an individual will replace those red blood cells within three to four weeks. It takes

eight weeks to restore the iron lost

after donating.

The Lincoln County Community Blood Drive is set for Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Lincolnton Baptist Church.

Sponsored by the Shepeard Community Blood Center, the goal for the drive is 40 units.

According to Linda Walker, recruitment coordinator for Shepeard, “With Thanksgiving approaching, most of us are thinking about Mom’s turkey and dressing, cranberries, and sweet potatoes. However, there is one thing we don’t think much about — something that we just take for granted — life.

“This Thanksgiving, I want to celebrate life to its fullest,” she continued. “My sister recently survived brain surgery after being told by the doctor that she had a 40-percent chance of not surviving the operation. We know that God guided the doctor’s hands and gave my sister the strength to make it through this ordeal. He also prompted someone to donate the pint of blood my sister used during the surgery. I would love to be able to personally thank the blood donor who took the time to help save my sweet sister’s life. I cannot imagine life without her.”

Walker went on to emphasize that blood must be available when it is needed or patients will die. “Now I know first-hand how much it means to have blood available when the life of a loved one is at stake. The bottom line is this: those who are blessed with good health need to pass it on to their friends and neighbors by donating blood. Yes, there is life in blood.”

Residents of the community should keep in mind that each and every donation makes a difference — one donor can save up to three lives. Healthy individuals 17 years of age or older, weighing 110 pounds or more, who have not donated blood in the past two months are eligible to make a donation. Donors are asked to bring a picture I.D. or a donor card with them to the drive.

From beginning to end, the process