To help prevent the regional blood supply from dropping this summer and over the July Fourth holiday weekend, the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is calling on the community to help save summer by saving local lives.

Donors who give blood at one of CBCC’s five donation centers between July 1-8 will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card.

Student donors (16 years or older with an ID) who give blood at one of CBCC’s five donation centers between July 9-31 will receive a free movie ticket voucher.

“Every summer, as regular donors leave for vacation and students break from school, blood supplies in our region drop. Vacations are great, but the need for blood doesn’t take one,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. “While we know it is a busy time of year, we appreciate the community giving blood to help meet the ongoing needs of local patients.”

Anyone 16 and older who weighs at least 120 pounds is encouraged to donate at one of the five CBCC donation centers located in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Greensboro and Hickory, or at one of CBCC's many mobile drives. For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-972-4700 or visit www.cbcc.us.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is a non-profit community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to 27 regional hospitals, serving 19 North Carolina and three South Carolina counties. CBCC focuses exclusively on gathering red blood cells, platelets and plasma from volunteer donors to save local lives here in the Carolinas. Every drop stays here, saving local lives. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers providing more than 50% of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.