The Iola Lions Club and the American Red Cross will bring the community together for a life-saving cause on Wednesday, Sept. 17, when they co-sponsor a blood drive at the Iola-Scandinavia Fitness & Aquatic Center from noon to 5 p.m.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting www.redcrossblood.org. Donors are encouraged to save time by completing a RapidPass health history questionnaire online at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass prior to arriving.

Participants will need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license to check in. Donors under age 18 must meet certain height and weight requirements and obtain parental permission.

The event will highlight the humanitarian spirit that has united the Red Cross community and fans of PEANUTS® for 75 years. Donors will not only help provide a critical supply of blood for patients in need, but they will also enjoy fall-themed refreshments such as pumpkin desserts and apples. Each participant will also receive an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS® mystery bag, containing one of four collectible T-shirt designs, while supplies last. A few lucky donors may even find a golden ticket inside their bag, redeemable for the entire set of four T-shirts.

Blood donations will remain in high demand nationwide, with someone needing a unit of blood every two to three seconds. Many donors and their loved ones will eventually rely on volunteer contributions at some point in their lives, making this local effort both timely and vital.

Organizers stress that while walk-ins will be welcomed, wait times could be longer, since staffing is determined by pre-registrations. Donors are advised to drink plenty of water and avoid excessive caffeine on the day of the event.

For additional convenience, community members may download the Red Cross Blood Donor App through the App Store, Google Play, or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 to schedule appointments, track donations, and access their health screening results.