Blood 'desperately needed' at Surry drives

Facing a severe summer shortage, the American Red Cross is turning to Hollywood to attract more blood donors.

Those who give during July will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email courtesy of the Red Cross to see the upcoming movie “Twisters,” described as a “big-screen thrill ride.”

This includes blood drives scheduled at various locations in Surry County throughout the month.

“The summer is here, which means it is time again for some of the most difficult collection times we face,” according to Christopher Newman of the Red Cross office in Winston-Salem, which coordinates drives in Surry and other area counties.

“Your help is desperately needed and appreciated,” Newman added in appealing to would-be donors.

Along with Fandango Movie Tickets — being provided through a partnership between the American Red Cross, the nation’s chief blood-collection agency, and Universal Pictures — other enticements are offered.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets through the Red Cross next month will be automatically entered for a chance to win a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn pickup.

Those giving from July 1-14 also will receive a one-of-a-kind “Twisters” and Red Cross umbrella, while supplies last.

Times to give can be booked by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Surry schedule

Local collection events open to the public are planned next month including these days, times and locations:

• Next Monday, when a Mount Airy community drive will be held from 1:30 to 6 p.m. in the blood room at the Surry American Red Cross building, 844 Westlake Drive, Mount Airy;

• Next Wednesday at the 13 Bones restaurant at 502 S. Andy Griffith Parkway, Mount Airy, where the Red Cross bus will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.;

• July 4 at the Mountain Park Fire and Rescue meeting room, 1137 Zephyr-Mountain Park Road in State Road, where a community drive is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the Red Cross bus to be on hand;

• July 6, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Level Cross United Methodist Church, 4080 Siloam Road, Dobson;

• July 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a community drive at Westfield Volunteer Fire Department, 3386 Old Westfield Road, Pilot Mountain;

• July 8, 1 to 5 p.m., Chick-fil-A at 2007 Rockford St., Mount Airy, where the Red Cross bus will be;

• July 8, 1:30 to 6 p.m., the front classroom of the Surry County Government Resource Center at 1218 State St., Mount Airy;

• July 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Northern Regional Hospital, 830 Rockford St., Mount Airy, where the Red Cross bus will be assigned;

• July 9, noon to 4 p.m. at the Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corp. assembly room, 510 S. Main St., Dobson;

• July 10, noon to 4 p.m., a Mount Airy community event in the blood drive room of the Surry American Red Cross building on Westlake Drive;

• July 12, 1 to 5:30 p.m., the fellowship hall of Mount Airy Wesleyan Church, 2063 S. Main St.;

• July 15, 1:30 to 6 p.m., an Elkin community drive at the Elkin Rescue Squad meeting room, 940 N. Bridge St.;

• July 16, noon to 4 p.m., a Mount Airy community event in the blood drive room of the Surry American Red Cross building on Westlake Drive;

• July 22, noon to 4:30 p.m., a Pilot Mountain community drive at Pilot Mountain First United Methodist Church, 210 Marion St.;

• July 28, 1 to 5 p.m., the fellowship hall of Piney Grove Baptist Church, 278 Piney Grove Church Road, Mount Airy;

• July 30, 2:30 to 7 p.m., the multi-purpose room of Salem Baptist Church, 430 Rockford Road, Dobson.