JayAnn Merkle, Account Manager for the American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region, stopped by Townsquare Media studios today to put the call out for blood donations as the Yakima Valley is perilously low at this time.

Give the gift of life and help save lives by donating yours this Friday at the Yakima Blood Donation Center (302 So. 2nd St.) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Ultimately, the Red Cross could really use about 15 more appointments to be made between now and then. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767) to schedule yours. It takes but less than an hour to draw a unit. Walk-ins, however, will NOT be turned away.

Type O-Negative is considered the "universal donor" but any and all types are needed at this critical time.

Who knows, maybe you can build up some karma like lifelong donor Marvin Koop of Yakima who has given - literally - GALLONS of blood in his lifetime and, late last year, was given his just reward by winning $1 MILLION in the lottery!

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