GC Services is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 560 Town Square West Highway 190 in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Sherry Bowman at (254) 518-1821.

It takes about an hour to give one pint of whole blood.

Remember to eat a nutritious meal and drink plenty of water one to two hours before giving blood. All donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well on the day of donation, and present a government-issued photo ID each time they give blood.

Potential blood donors may volunteer beginning at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds may give independently and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. For more information on donor eligibility and to make an appointment, call 1-800-366-2834 or visit carterbloodcare.org.