Organizers with Virginia Blood Services are asking people to donate blood as Harrisonburg's largest blood drive of the year kicks off.
The drive, Broadcasters for Blood, is sponsored by the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Chamber of Commerce and VerStandig Broadcasting.
Organizers said there is a big need for blood donors this time of year, since colleges and high schools are out of session.
Virginia Blood Services serves 25 hospitals throughout the state, and organizers said one in every seven people who enter these hospitals needs blood.
They said there are more accidents on the road and near the pool during the summer, and they are getting half the amount of blood donations they need at this time.
Anyone who is interested in giving blood must be 16 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Donors also must make sure they do not have a cold and are not on any antibiotics.
The blood drive will be on Aug. 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on East Market Street.
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