Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Manning to host blood drive Sept. 26

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MANNING - Weeks after Hurricane Ida struck the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross still has more than 900 trained Red Cross workers providing support in community shelters throughout the impacted areas and distributing critical supplies including water, comfort kits and ready-to-eat meals.

With the increased need for blood in this region and across the nation, ARC is also experiencing an emergency shortage of blood.

ARC is urging individuals living in unaffected areas throughout the United States to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible.

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Not only is blood necessary during emergencies, but also for surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries.

With less than 38 percent of the country's population eligible to give blood or platelets, a single donor can save up to three lives.

Margaret Walker, a member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 105 Dinkins St., is an avid supporter of the American Red Cross who annually hosts blood drives for her community and nation.

"One of my favorite quotes is 'You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give,'" Walker said. "That's a quote by Kahlil Gibran. I just want people to understand that giving blood is a selfless act that means the world to the recipient. We never know when we're going to have a need."

From 1-6 p.m. Sept. 26, Walker, in partnership with her church, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, will host a blood drive. All donors will receive a free health screening prior to donating.

All donors will receive a free T-shirt and a $20 gift card by registering with a valid email at www.redcrossblood.org and entering sponsor code: EbenezerManning.

By logging online and starting your pre-donation reading and health history questions, donors will be able to speed through the process on Sept. 26.

"As a health care provider, it's a hopeless feeling knowing that unavailable blood might have saved someone's life," Walker added.