Holiday Blood Drive in Gulfport

An event taking place in Gulfport is a way for people to give back by giving the gift of blood.

The Blood Center’s Bloodmobile is set up at Rouses in Gulfport today for a holiday blood drive.

All blood types are accepted with an urgent need for ‘type O’ blood.

Donors should have their ID on hand and eat a full meal before donating. They will receive a free t-shirt and $10 Rouses gift card.

Coastal Region Coordinator Gina Necaise says donating blood is especially important around the holidays. “We have to have a stable blood supply. Just because it’s the holidays and everyone’s taking off and kids are out of school, it doesn’t mean that the need isn’t there. The need is there every day.”

The drive takes place until 4 p.m. this afternoon so there is still plenty of time to donate.