Blood drives planned at high schools

Volunteer fans fell short in this year’s Battle of the Orange and Blue, a friendly competitive blood drive that helps stock supplies in Tennessee and Kentucky.

This year’s loss to the Kentucky Wildcats ends a seven-year winning streak for Tennessee fans in the Medic Regional Blood Center competition, said Christi Fightmaster, Medic spokeswoman.

“The real winners in this friendly competition are the area hospitals that can rest assure they will have adequate inventory heading into the holiday season,” she added.

The traveling trophy will settle in Lexington for the next year.

Though the competition is over, the need for blood is constant.

“The holiday season proves to be a difficult time for blood banks nationwide, as donations tend to decline this time of year,” Fightmaster said. “Medic would like to encourage everyone to please get in the spirit of giving and don’t forget about giving the ‘gift of life’ this time of year.”

Two area high schools are planning upcoming blood drives. A blood drive will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in Harriman High School’s auditorium.

The following day, Dec. 3, a mobile unit will be at Roane County High School, Kingston, for a blood drive. Donors may give from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donors are also welcome to give at Medic donor centers at 1601 Ailor Ave., Knoxville, and at 11000 Kingston Pike, Farragut.

All donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh 110 pounds. Sixteen-year-old donors weighing 120 pounds or more may give blood with parental consent.

All donors will be required to show identification.

Medic is the sole provider of blood and blood products to 21 counties and 27 area hospitals, including Roane Medical Center in Harri-man.

Call Medic at 524-3074 or visit www.medicblood.org for information.