Wednesday, July 13, 2011 5:30 am

 Help your local community by giving the gift of life. Blood Assurance, the non-profit regional blood center, will host a blood drive at Grace Assembly of God, Saturday, 7/30/2011, 8:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.

To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and t-shirt. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.

As the regional blood center, Blood Assurance is the only provider of blood components to more than 50 hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Blood Assurance is the exclusive provider of all blood products to Harton Regional Medical Center, Southern Tennessee Medical Center, Emerald Hodgson, Lincoln County Medical Center, Medical Center of Manchester, United Regional Medical Center, River Park Hospital and Stones River Hospital.

Each blood donation has the potential to benefit up to three patients in need.

All donors will receive a Blood Assurance t-shirt as well as a complimentary snack. Visitors at the blood drive will be eligible to register for the Blood Assurance monthly giveaway. Participants can submit one entry per person, per day. For complete rules, please visit www.bloodassurance.org.

For more information about donating blood contact Tari-Lee Gates at 461-5773.