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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Ottumwa's 22nd annual Media Blood Drive will be held Thursday, August 9 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m at the Bridge View Center.

Each year, the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center increases the amount of blood they want to collect to donate, and this year the goal is set at 115 pints. Mississippi Regional covers 77 hospitals from St. Louis to Springfield, Illinois, and 13 in the local area.

The blood drive is held every summer, because its the time of the year when donations are most needed.

"The message is the same, we do this every year because we see low inventory and low donations during the summer," said Lorna Miller, Donation Recruitment and Manager at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center."People are very busy with all their activities that their children and grandchildren might be in, or activities they themselves do and vacations are taken during this time."

If that's not enough incentive to get you to come out and donate, Miller said the event also has some business sponsors, Subway and Pizza Hut, that will provide food for anyone who gives blood.

Walk-ins are welcome, but to be guaranteed a time to donate, call 1-800-452-1097 for an appointment.