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Published Monday, November 17, 2008 in Religion

Blood donors have chance to win shopping spree

Each time a blood donor gives the gift of life, he or she gets something back -- the knowledge that in taking the time to donate one unit of blood, they may have saved up to three lives.

Through Dec. 31, blood and platelet donors will get even more back when they are entered to win a $1,000 gift card courtesy of the American Red Cross. The "Give a Little, Buy a Lot!" campaign is aimed at increasing blood and platelet donations during a time of year when distractions -- because of school schedules and the holidays -- often lead to a dangerous dip in the available blood supply.

Anyone who gives blood or platelets through the Red Cross during the promotion period will be automatically entered to win one of three gift cards.

"This is a critical time of year for blood and platelet donations," said Randy Edwards, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. "In addition to the gifts they'll give to family and friends this holiday season, we're asking people to also take the time to give the gift of life.

Edwards said the shopping card "is one way we can show generous donors how much we appreciate that gift."

The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region provides life-saving blood to more than 130 hospitals and must have 1,200 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders, and other illnesses receive life-saving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.

Churches and schools in Coweta and surrounding counties have several blood drives scheduled during the next few weeks. Scheduled in Coweta County are:

* Nov. 28, Senoia United Methodist Church, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

* Dec. 4, First United Methodist Church, Newnan, 7:45 a.m.-5:45 p.m.

In surrounding counties, the schedule includes:

* Sunday, Roswell United Methodist Church, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

* Sunday, Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Atlanta, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

* Monday, Crescent Road Elementary School, Griffin, 2-6 p.m.

* Monday, Midway Macedonia Baptist Church, Villa Rica, Monday, 2:30-7:30 p.m.

* Thursday, First Baptist Church, Hogansville, 2-7 p.m.

* Nov. 24, Booker T. Washington High School, Atlanta, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

* Nov. 24, The Galloway School, Atlanta, noon-5 p.m.

* Nov. 24, First Baptist Church, Griffin, 2-7 p.m.

* Nov. 24, Fayetteville Christian Church, 2:30-7:30 p.m.

* Nov. 24, Georgia Institute of Technology, Campus Recreation Center, 3-8 p.m.

* Dec. 2, First United Methodist Church, LaGrange, 12:30-6 p.m.

* Dec. 4, Heard County Elementary School, 2:30-7:30 p.m.

* Dec. 7, Congregation B'Nai Torah, Atlanta, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

* Dec. 7, Congregation Shearith Isreal, Atlanta, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

* Dec. 14, St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

* Dec. 16, First Baptist Church, Griffin, noon-6 p.m.