BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED

The American Red Cross will hold blood drives Wednesday and Thursday in Cape Girardeau to provide ample blood supply during the Fourth of July holiday.

During the summer months, blood supplies are in demand but donations are often low. The blood collected this week will be ready for use within 72 hours.

People can donate from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center and again from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at the West Park Mall.

Each donor will receive a T-shirt for donating a pint of blood. It takes about an hour to donate blood, but you must be 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.