This summer, blood donors with Central Illinois Community Blood

Center (CICBC) can help top off the local blood supply and receive a chance to win a $50 gas card at the same time. To help ensure an adequate blood supply for our region during the difficult summer months, CICBC will hold weekly drawings throughout the service area for $50 gas gift cards from all donors who give blood each week from Monday, July 11 through the week of Labor Day (week of Monday, Sept. 5).

All persons who present to give blood at the Springfield Donor Center, 1134 S. Seventh St., or at a mobile blood drive will be eligible to win the drawing. To schedule an appointment for donation, or to find a mobile blood drive, call the Blood Center at (866) GIVE-BLD (866-448 3253) or see www.bloodcenterIMPACT.org.

Due to summer vacations and holiday weekends, summer is the most difficult time of year to recruit blood donors. "The need for our lifesaving products never takes a day off," said Tara Matheson, manager, donor relations at CICBC. "That's why we're pleased to reward donors who give at this time of year with a chance to win a gas card and fill their tank on us!"

All persons age 17 and up (or 16, with a signed parental permission form) who weigh at least 110 lbs. and are in general good health meet the basic eligibility requirements for blood donation.

For more information, call CICBC at (866) GIVE-BLD (866-448-3253) or visit www.cicbc.org.

To schedule an appointment to donate, or to find an area blood drive, visit www.bloodcenterIMPACT.org. Walks-ins are always welcome.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the provider of lifesaving blood for 12 hospitals throughout central Illinois, including St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. A division of Mississippi Valley Regional Blood

Center (MVRBC), Central Illinois Community Blood Center and MVRBC collect 165,000 units of blood annually and serve a total of 75 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.