There is an added twist to next week’s American Red Cross Blood Drive in Falls City.  The blood drive, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at Prichard Auditorium, is being billed as “A Celebration of Local Heroes.”
 Red Cross spokesperson April Opplinger says the blood drive will be a competition between the Falls City Fire Department and Falls City Rural Fire Department.  (play audio  :23)
 Oppliger says they’ve done similar challenges, generally between police and fire departments, and this is the first she can recall between a city and rural fire department.  While the challenge is between local fire departments, Oppliger says everyone is encouraged to donate blood as the Red Cross seeks to increase donations heading into the summer months.  (play audio  :24)
 While donations tend to tail off in the summer, Oppliger says the need remains constant, and the Red Cross sends blood out as fast as it comes in.  (play audio  :13)
 The department that gets the most donors over the two day drive will get no award, except bragging rights.  Oppliger says there will be prizes though for people who donate blood.  (play audio  :26)
 Donors will also be entered into the Red Cross’ “Live Life, Give Life” promotion, which has a grand prize of a $5,000 package from Gift Certificates-dot-com.
 Hours for the blood drive are Noon to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday.  To make an appointment to donate blood, call 402-245-3227, or go online to WWW-dot-Red Cross blood-dot-org. (www.redcrossblood.org)  Walk-ins are also welcome.
The Red Cross chapter in Omaha serves an area that includes all of Nebraska, southwest Iowa, and parts of Kansas and Colorado, and supplies blood to 90 hospitals in that region.