By Sandi Moore

Iola Lions and American Red Cross will co-sponsor a Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 5, from noon-4 p.m. at the Iola-Scandinavia Fitness & Aquatic Center.

We really need your help as our April Blood Drive was canceled due to snow. Iola Lions will serve sandwiches, desserts, and typical Red Cross snacks. As always, water and juice will be provided. Also, while supplies last, you can pick up Red Cross swag like a shirt or umbrella.

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. All blood types are needed.

Spring 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.

Please drink a lot of water and a minimum of caffeine before donating. If you want to save time after registering, but before you show up on that afternoon, complete and print a RapidPass online health history questionnaire on your computer or complete it on a smartphone on June 5 only before you come; the site is redcrossblood.org/rapidpass. 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.