Local Red Cross holding blood drive

The American Red Cross is giving residents in the Bourbon County area a chance to show they have country in their blood.

The Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive from 1-7 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Community Christian Church, located at 1919 S. Horton.

According to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in America needs blood. The demand for blood never decreases as only about 8 percent of eligible blood donors in the country donate blood.

To help entice people across the country to donate, the American Red Cross is looking to the country music industry. Every individual who attempts to donate blood will be entered to win one of 12 sets of tickets to the Country Stampede on June 26 in Manhattan, Kan. In addition, all presenting donors will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes drawing for a Music City Giveaway including: an all-expense paid trip for two to Nashville, Tenn., for a two-night stay at Gaylord's Opryland Hotel, two VIP passes to the Grand Ole Opry, a backstage tour at the Opry House and a $300 Visa gift card.

Blood donation appointments can be scheduled online at redcrossblood.org, or by calling (800) RED-CROSS. Walk-in donations will also be accepted.