Did you know that one of the biggest uses of donated blood is for cancer patients? When a cancer patient goes for treatment, if their blood counts are too low they are not able to continue with treatment until their counts are brought up which means they need a transfusion of blood.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in honor of the cancer patients who depend on those vital blood transfusions that keep them alive during their treatments, MidSouth Bank Texarkana at 5600 Richmond Road and LifeShare Texarkana are partnering for a Blood Drive on Friday, October 14 from 10AM until 2PM. Donate blood during this event and receive a grey or pink t-shirt like this one:

“One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Cancer treatment is one of the main uses for donated blood," says Karen Siefert, Donor Recruiter for LifeShare Blood Centers. "Many breast cancer patients need blood as a part of their treatment."

In addition to this event, LifeShare is holding blood drives in Texarkana and the surrounding area throughout the month of October.

• Oct. 15: Highland Park Baptist Church, Texarkana, 7:30AM – 1:30PM
• Oct. 17: Maud High School, Maud 8AM – 3PM
• Oct. 17: UA Cassatot-DeQueen 10AM – 3PM
• Oct. 18: DeQueen Medical Center, DeQueen 10AM – 1:30PM
• Oct. 18: Lockesburg Baptist Church, Lockesburg 3:30PM – 7:30PM
• Oct. 19: Christus Saint Michaels, Texarkana 8:30AM – 5:30PM
• Oct. 20: Wadley Regional, Texarkana 11:30AM – 5:30PM
• Oct. 20: Truman Arnold Center at Texarkana College, Texarkana 11AM – 4PM
• Oct. 21: Christus Saint Michael’s Rehab, Texarkana 12PM -- 6PM
• Oct. 21: Randy Walker Family Practice, DeQueen 9AM – 4PM
• Oct. 22: Forrest Festival, Atlanta 4:30PM - 8:30PM
• Oct. 24: TSD Logistics, Texarkana 10AM – 4PM
• Oct. 25: Pleasant Grove High School Gym 8:30AM —2:30PM
• Oct. 26: Walnut Church of Christ, Texarkana 4PM – 8PM
• Oct. 28 Prescott High School, Prescott 8:30AM – 2:30PM

Blood donors will be entered into a drawing to win tickets to watch the Super Bowl in Houston, includes three nights hotel accommodations.

Did you know:

• Approximately one in seven people entering a hospital will need blood.
• One blood donation, which is usually about one pint of blood, can save up to three lives.
• Every donation has the potential to save someone’s life.
• It is good for you to donate blood.  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.

You can schedule an appointment to donate at the center by calling 903-794-3173. Walk-ins are also welcome at LifeShare Blood Center at 1321 College Drive, Texarkana, Texas.

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.