Community blood drive to be held at Lincolnton Baptist Sat.

In observance of January as "National Volunteer Blood Donor Month," a Lincoln County Community Blood Drive will be held Saturday, January 13, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Lincolnton Baptist church.

According to Linda Petersen, recruitment specialist for the Shepeard Community Blood Center, Lincoln County blood donors gave 219 units of blood during 2006.

"Since one donation can save up to three lives, 657 local people benefited from the generosity of the blood donors in Lincoln County last year," stated Petersen. "Cancer patients, burn victims, accident victims, and those suffering from sickle cell disease are just a few of the reasons we roll up our sleeves and give this precious gift of life. We can't assume that hospitals will have the blood needed if we don't give it."

The recruitment specialist went on to say, "Januarys are often tough. Blood supplies are low this time of the year due to the holidays. Supplies are especially low now which makes Saturday's blood drive critical.

"If you have been blessed with good health, pass it on to your neighbors by donating blood," Petersen continued. "It might surprise you to learn that many people who have high blood pressure or diabetes that is wellcontrolled by medication can give blood. When in doubt, ask your physician."

Tips and facts about blood donation include:

.. 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 takes less than half an hour.

.. Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of the blood drive.

.. Eat a good breakfast if you donate blood in the morning and a good lunch if you donate in the afternoon.

.. Make it a point to eat iron-rich foods the days leading up to the drive.

The following Lincoln County residents donated blood during the fall community blood drive: Amanda N. Lovell, Bianca A. Tutt, Ellen V. Butler, Louise D. Lee, Mary H. Perrin, Shequila A. Harris, Tangela G. McKinney.

Terry L. Cooper, Thomas C. Dent, Alton H. Danner, Jr., Bonny S. Rayner, Byron S. Baldwin, Donald W. Ezzyk, Elizabeth B. Baker, Horace J. Reese, Jack D. Glazner, James T. Scroggins, Jimmie A. Goldman, John M. Rhodes, Justin T. Scearce.

Ken Partridge, Kevin L. Bentley, Lamar Garrard, Linda P. Jones, Marsha W. Scott, Orion N. Kujala, Rebecca R. Tarver, Rita W. Hussey, Robert B. Kinney, Robert T. Poss, Sue W. Ezzyk, Susan L. Harrison, and Tony L. Norman.

For more information about blood donation, contact the Shepeard Community Blood Center at 1-706- 737-4551.