Donate blood on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8AM to 1PM at Lifeshare Blood Centers in Texarkana and you will get a free turkey just in time for your Thanksgiving dinner. Special gifts will also be given to donors during this event.

There are four main steps to donating blood: medical history, quick physical, donation, and snacks and after donating blood. After donating blood, the fluid is replaced within hours and the red blood cells within four weeks. It takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating.

“Albertsons, Arkansas-side has donated turkeys for donors who donate on Saturday, November 14. The center will be open from 8AM-1PM so get there early, there is a limited supply of turkeys and the special edition Thanksgiving t-shirts,” says Karen Siefert, Donor Recruiter, LifeShare Blood Centers.

For more information, go to www.lifeshare.org or call 903-794-3173.

LifeShare Blood Centers regularly supplies blood components to 117 medical facilities throughout Louisiana, East Texas and South Arkansas. Founded in Shreveport, La. in 1942, it is a nonprofit community service provider governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.  LifeShare is a member of America’s Blood Centers and the American Rare Donor Program, is licensed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and accredited by AABB.

Did you also know that it is good for you to donate blood? You can think of it like changing the oil in your car, its always good to get some of the old blood out that might have too much iron and other minerals in it that can build up and cause health issues. After blood donation, testing and processing takes a minimum of 24 hours before the blood is available for patient use. Donations of all blood types are needed for constant replenishing.

The blood drive will be held at LifeShare Blood Centers, 1321 College Drive, Texarkana, Texas. For more information, go to www.lifeshare.org or call 903-794-3173.

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