Staff Report

In an effort to educate a new generation of potential blood donors about the ever-present need for blood in Suffolk, the American Red Cross is partnering with local high school students for Blood Tour 2005.

Blood Tour 2005 is a series of summer blood drives that draw donors from local high schools throughout Hampton Roads.

Approximately 19 percent of blood donors in the Mid-Atlantic Region are high school students.

However, as with most blood donor populations, participation drastically declines during the summer months, when blood needs are critical.

With the abundance of summertime activities the Red Cross fights for the attention of students as they focus on jobs, the beach, friends and family.

Blood Tour 2005 is an attempt at turning high school blood donors into lifetime blood donors by keeping them active in the blood donation program all year long.

Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, yet only

5 percent of those eligible to give blood actually participate in the blood donation program.

That is why these student donations are so vital to the Red Cross, especially during the summer months when the blood inventory hovers at emergency levels.

The Red Cross will host students from Suffolk for a blood drive Friday at the Suffolk Family YMCA located at 2769 Godwin Blvd. from 2 p.m. to 8

p.m. Students are encouraged to show their school spirit and their commitment to our community.

Students of all ages are welcomed.

A team of Suffolk students have worked to make this drive a fun-filled experience.

Periodic drawings will be held for prizes including a gift basket from Belk and a Wal-Mart gift card.

Everyone will receive a limited edition t-shirt, designed by the students, and a GiveBlood red wristband.

Refreshments will include pizza from Papa John and Pizza Hut and chicken from Chick Fil A.

Everyone who signs in is automatically registered to win free gas in the weekly gas giveaway. Every student who signs in at the special blood drives will be registered to win a free mini

iPOD.

To donate blood, you must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in overall good health.

For more information on blood donation log onto the website at www.weneedblood.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).