Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing and eggs are hatching. It’s spring, a time of hope and renewal.

For hospital patients in need of blood, hope comes from generous volunteer blood donors like you.

You can make a fresh start this spring by becoming a blood donor or increasing your yearly blood donations.

Donate blood and you’ll provide a fresh start to someone in need. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and just one blood donation can help save up to three lives.

Locally, donors may give blood from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 8 at St. Andrew’s Parish Hall – 311 S. Buckeye.

How to Donate Blood:

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information or to make an appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors 18 and younger.