Donating blood is as easy as pie, according to the American Red Cross. Join the Iola Lions and American Red Cross on Wednesday, Nov. 20, for the Iola Blood Drive.

The drive runs noon-5 p.m. in the Mishler Room at the Iola-Scandinavia Fitness & Aquatic Center. All blood types are needed.

Please remember to drink a lot of water and minimize caffeine intake before your donation.

Finish your donation with a piece of pie and ice cream! Typical Red Cross snacks, water and juice will also be provided.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger have to meet certain height and weight requirements and need parental permission to donate.

Fall into action and give patients a fighting chance. Schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or online at www.redcrossblood.org.

If you want to save time after registering, but before you show up that afternoon, complete and print a RapidPass online health history questionnaire on your computer or complete and save it on your smart phone. The site is redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.

Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and fires have taken their toll on blood supplies. Each unit you donate helps 1-3 people!

Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, which is approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells needed every day in the U.S. to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.