As blood donations run dangerously low throughout the summer months, Blood Assurance is sponsoring the “New Blood Heroes in North Georgia” campaign during August.

The campaign aims to recruit first-time blood donors in Catoosa and Walker counties and encourage repeat donors to continue giving blood, especially during August when the regional blood supplier experiences a decrease in blood donations.

This is the third year that Blood Assurance has sponsored the campaign, which was created by citizens of the two counties who serve on the North Georgia Advisory Board for Blood Assurance.

Through Aug. 30, visitors at Blood Assurance in Fort Oglethorpe will be eligible to register for several prizes, including a third-place prize of a $50 gas card courtesy of Blood Assurance, a second-place prize featuring a cordless telephone system provided by Ringgold Telephone Co., and a grand prize of a GE 30” free-standing electric range provided by Roper Corp.

Registrants must ask for an entry form for the “New Blood Heroes in North Georgia” promotion upon registration. For a complete list of rules, please visit www.bloodassurance.org.

Members of the community are encouraged to bring a friend with them to donate.

“If you’ve never donated before, bringing a friend is a great way to calm your fears. If you’re already a blood donor, bring someone who has never donated so they can experience what a wonderful feeling it is to help save a life and be a hero for someone in need,” said Linda Hisey, director of marketing and public relations for Blood Assurance.

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Photo: Blood Assurance kicked off its annual “New Blood Heroes in North Georgia” campaign on Monday with an event at the Fort Oglethorpe location of Blood Assurance. It was attended by several members of the north Georgia community. On the back row, from left, are Alice Pollard, Walker County Commissioner’s Office and Blood Assurance North Georgia Advisory Board member; Catoosa County Commission chairman Bill Clark; Walker County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell; Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson, North Georgia Advisory Board member for Blood Assurance; Doris White, community and public relations representative for Blood Assurance; seated, Phil Erli, Ringgold Telephone Co. and Blood Assurance North Georgia Advisory Board chairman; Debbie Lawrence, candidate for Walker County Superior Court clerk; and Chip Catlett, Masonry Specialists and North Georgia Advisory Board member.

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To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and T-shirt. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.

Blood Assurance is at 2720 LaFayette Road in Fort Oglethorpe. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, contact Blood Assurance at (706) 861-5983.

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