FOUR AREA BLOOD DRIVES ANNOUNCED FOR NEXT WEEK

BENTON -- Four area blood drives have been scheduled in early March. They are set for:

Sunday, at Kelso.

March 6, at Patton.

March 7, at Benton.

March 8, at Oran.

The American Red Cross will be a co-sponsor of the four blood drives.

The Kelso Jaycees will co-sponsor the drive at St. Augustine School Gym in Kelso from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thomas Kelly School Beta Club is co-sponsoring the drive near Benton, to be held at Kelly High School, from 2 to 7 p.m.

The Oran High School Student Council is co-sponsor of the drive to be held at Oran School cafeteria, from 2 to 7 p.m. T-Shirts will be given to all donors at Oran.

T-Shirts will also be presented to all blood donors at Meadow Heights High School, which is co-sponsored by the Patton community. The Patton drive will be conducted from 2 to 7 p.m.

"Winter weather often makes it difficult for people to get to donor sites," said Dr. William V. Miller, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross. "Few drives are planned when bad weather is likely, and, as a result, the drives that are scheduled take on more importance to help maintain an adequate blood supply."

To give blood a person must be 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds.