ROCKPORT — The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., at the Pen Bay YMCA Rockport.

"Save lives and get a $15 gift card to the merchant of your choice when you donate at this drive," said the Red Cross, in a news release. "As dangerous fire weather conditions once again blanket southern California, thousands are struggling after losing everything. The American Red Cross is there, providing help and hope with necessities like food, shelter, emotional care, recovery planning and financial assistance. Even as we are helping in California, we continue to provide long-term recovery support to the families and communities affected by the 2024 hurricanes, including Helene and Milton. This means the Red Cross is now launching twice as many relief operations for major disasters than a decade ago."

-Whole Blood is the most common donation, and it helps all patients. Donors must weigh at least 110 lbs. and can have any blood type. 

-Power Reds is the preferred donation for trauma patients. Power Reds allows you to safely donate two units of red cells and receive your platelets and plasma back with some saline. The benefit to the donor: It's a smaller needle, you get to sit up, and you feel better afterwards because you get fluids returned.

"A great way to maximize your impact is with a one-time donation," said Red Cross.

To register: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=RockportME. Click the following attachment for QR code.