EATON – The Preble County YMCA will host a community blood drive Thursday, Feb. 25, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the community room, 450 Washington Jackson Road, Eaton in celebration of February “love your donor” month. Everyone who registers to donate will receive the Community Blood Center “Love Your Donor – Save Lives Give Blood” t-shirt. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call 1-800-388-GIVE.

The “Love Your Donor” campaign comes during February’s traditional celebration of St. Valentine’s Day. The t-shirt is a deep blue with a light grey blood drop and the “Love Your Donor” slogan in red and white, painted distressed lettering. The t-shirt is free to anyone who registers to donate through Saturday, Feb. 27 at any CBC Donor Center and most CBC mobile blood drives.

Donate during the heart of winter

February is the heart of winter, a time when weather often disrupts travel and seasonal illnesses interfere with donating. Beginning Monday, Feb. 15 any potential donor who has traveled to Zika virus endemic areas in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central or South America will be deferred from donating for 28 days. This is expected to result in the loss of approximately 2.25 percent of otherwise acceptable donors during the winter months when such travel is more common. Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment to donate when able. We especially encourage the continued support of type O whole blood donors and type A/B platelet and plasma donors.