Those wishing to give the gift of life by rolling up theirsleeves and donating blood over the holiday season may still do soduring a needy time of year.

“December and January are two of the worst months in terms ofcollecting enough blood for patients,” said Dani Edmonson,communications manager for Mississippi Blood Services.

Edmonson said that as residents become preoccupied with holidayfestivities, some forget the importance of regular blooddonation.

Local residents can help keep the blood supply at a steady levelby donating blood at King’s Daughters Medical Center educationannex during scheduled visits from Mississippi Blood Servicesemployees.

The center will be closed on its next regularly scheduled timeMonday, Dec. 24, due to the holiday, but will open again fordonations from 1-6 p.m., Jan. 14.

“We urge Brookhaven residents to resume regular blood donationin January,” Edmonson said.

One pint of blood can be used to save the lives of up to fourpeople. The blood can be used for numerous beneficial purposesincluding surgeries, trauma situations and leukemia treatments.

Blood donors have the opportunity to save lives and improvetheir own health. Recent studies have shown that blood donors’ riskof heart attack is 85 percent less than that of non-donors.

The risk of certain types of cancer can also be reduced bydonating blood regularly because it decreases the amount of ironstored in the body.

Blood donors must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh atleast 110 pounds and bring identification to donate blood.

For more information call Mississippi Blood Services at1-800-817-7449.