HAUNTED BLOOD DRIVE SET

Dracula may be right at home at the Ford Groves blood drive on Oct. 29.

Called "Limo for Life," the blood drive will fit in with the Halloween season: Donors, who request it, will be picked up in a Lincoln Town Car driven by a Dracula-like creature.

Bob Neff, owner of the Ford Groves automobile dealership, said donors can be picked up at work or at home. Once they've given blood at Ford Groves, 1501 N. Kingshighway, the donors will get a limo ride back to their homes or offices.

Neff said those seeking rides should make reservations by calling Ford Groves at 335-2600 beginning Monday.

David Palmer of the American Red Cross office in Cape Girardeau said Thursday that the blood supply is critically low in this region. "We are running about 75 percent below our normal supply of Type O and Type B blood, both positive and negative."

He said the Red Cross will hold an emergency blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Red Cross office, 2610 Gerhardt.

As to the "Limo for Life" blood drive, it has been tried successfully elsewhere. "We thought it was a terrific idea, too," said Neff.

"The blood drive will be held on the showroom floor, so they can test drive a gurney," he quipped.

Dracula may even show up on the showroom floor. "You never know what might show up," said Neff. "We are all going to dress up like car salesmen."

"The American Red Cross has set a goal of 30 units of blood, but we hope to far exceed that," said Neff.

"It's a good cause and we are hoping this little twist on how it is done normally can benefit the Red Cross because they need the additional blood," he said.

Said Neff, "We are happy to roll up our sleeves for the Red Cross."