You can make a big difference this week, by signing up to donate blood at a local blood drive.

The Decatur County Farm Bureau, located at 501 S. Scott St. in Bainbridge, will be hosting a free blood drive on Thursday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. All donors are asked to sign up with Lisa Green at (229) 246-1692 or by email at lgreen@gfb.org, and all donors will receive a free T-shirt.

Earlier this week, the American Red Cross announced that it has a severe blood shortage at this time. The Red Cross noted that the summer months are usually slow, because school-based drives are no longer being held and because so many people are going on vacation.

Let’s do what we can to help address that shortage. If you miss Thursday’s blood drive, you can find out more information about how to donate blood by visiting online at www.redcrossblood.org.