NATCHEZ — Another school year begins and heralds a new chapter in every student’s life. It is also a time of higher accident rates among young people. However, patients needing surgeries or suffering from chronic illnesses do not diminish.

Mississippi hospitals need an average of 225 units each day. That’s over 82,000 units each year. Mississippi Blood Services’ mission is to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply to its hospitals so that patients will have blood when they need it.

A special blood drive for Linda Cavin will be Saturday.

The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Church of Christ. All donors will receive a T-shirt. The blood drive will be located off U.S. 61 South at 2 Beau Pré Road in Natchez.

“One in seven people admitted to a hospital will need blood,” said Tony Bahou, MBS communications and public relations manager. “When you think of the many patients who need blood — trauma patients, surgery patients and patients fighting debilitating diseases like sickle cell and cancer — all these different circumstances and one common need: blood. Taking a little of your time to donate blood may give someone a lifetime. Please help Mississippi Blood Services continue to make miracles happen by donating blood every 56 days.”

All donors must be at least 17-years-old, 16 with signed parental consent forms available at drive location, weigh at least 110 pounds and have a valid ID.

MBS offers a “mini physical” before each donation to ensure the donation process is safe for the donor as well as the recipient.

Please visit our Web site at www.msblood.com or call us at (888) 90-BLOOD (902-5663) to make your life-saving donation today. For more information about the upcoming blood drive, visit our Web site or call (800) 817-7449.