Heartland Blood Drive Jan. 10-12 | Events

SIKESTON, MO (KFVS) - KFVS12 and the local American Red Cross are teaming up for the annual "Heartland Blood Drive," a region-wide effort to supply the area with much needed blood supplies.

The three-day event takes place at seven locations throughout the Heartland:

• Cape Girardeau - West Park Mall (directions)
• Carbondale - University Mall (directions)
• Dexter - Eagles' Lodge
• Marion - Illinois Star Centre Mall (directions)
• Poplar Bluff - First United Methodist Church (directions)
• Perryville - Perry Park Center (directions)
• Sikeston - Sikeston Factory Outlet Mall (directions)

The specific dates and times for all locations are:

• Thursday, January 10 - 2 to 7 p.m.
• Friday, January 11 - 2 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, January 12 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fresh cookies supplied at participating locations by Subway

Walk-in donors are always welcome but this year the Red Cross recommends that donors schedule appointments.

You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment on-line or call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule by telephone.

This year members of the Heartland News Team will be appearing and reporting live from various sites. Here are the scheduled appearances (subject to change):

THURSDAY:

• Carly O'Keefe at Marion Center Mall from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with live reports during Heartland News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Kathy Sweeney at West Park Mall from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with live reports during Heartland News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Lauren Keith at Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

FRIDAY:

• Jeff Cunningham at West Park Mall from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Allison Twaits at University Mall from 4 p.m. to 6:30 with live reports during Heartland News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Holly Brantley at the Perry Park Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Did you donate blood? Send us a picture to cNews@kfvs12.com! Don't forget to include your name and where you're from.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

"Each winter the Red Cross typically sees a drop in blood donations, and each winter KFVS12 is there to help keep our supplies stable," said Scott L. Caswell, CEO of the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. "The Red Cross thanks KFVS12 and their devoted viewers for all their efforts to help save lives."

Blood collected during the KFVS12 Heartland Blood Drive comes at an important time for the Red Cross. Blood donations typically decline during the winter, due to factors such as holiday travels, inclement weather, and seasonal illnesses. According to the Red Cross, the Heartland Blood Drive has set new standards in the entire Midwest for single event collection totals, collecting nearly 22,000 units in the 18 years of the drive.

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