Roll up your sleeves

The American Red Cross is challenging the nation to increase blood donations with its Save a Life Tour 2003, which will arrive in Cape Girardeau Saturday.

The tour began in Los Angeles on May 20 with a mission to raise awareness of the ongoing need for blood donation.

The Save a Life tour features two Red Cross convoys traveling across the country visiting communities to celebrate involvement, boost public education of the nation's low blood supply and encourage able individuals to donate regularly.

The South-West Convoy will arrive at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park for an opening ceremony followed by a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. The ceremony will feature Mayor Jay Knudtson as guest speaker and first blood donor. The mobile museum will also be open at this location from noon to 6 p.m.

Supported by community leaders, celebrities, businesses and residents, 345 communities across the country joined the effort to help America renew its blood supply and the American Red Cross to achieve its overall goal of 3 million blood donations nationwide during the six-month campaign. The American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Service Region is part of the effort.

Critical shortage in supply

Blood donors will receive commemorative Save A Life Tour 2003 T-shirts and will be entered in a raffle for St. Louis Rams items and American Red Cross First Aid kits.

From noon to 6 p.m. Sunday the blood drive will be held again at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park; the mobile museum will be at the SEMO District Fair. T-shirts and raffles will again be offered to blood donors.

"Due to the critical shortage of blood, we are encouraging communities around the nation to participate in the Save A Life Tour 2003. New donors are needed," stated Dave Palmer, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. "We encourage local businesses, organizations and residents to take part in this important lifesaving initiative that touches people everywhere."

This nationwide effort will culminate in November in Washington, D.C., where outstanding contributing communities will be recognized. Because the results of the campaign are being tracked nationally, each community is challenged to meet a specific goal: contributions will be measured and recognized based on the increase in blood donation over the same period last year. A Web site, www.givelife.org, tracks the convoy schedule and provides information about community participation and current levels of donations.

For more information or to schedule a blood donation appointment call (816) 931-6662, extension 7058, or visit www.givelife.org.