Corolla Fire and Rescue will be hosting a blood drive on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The drive will take place at the Pine Island Station, located at 470 Ocean Trail in Corolla.

Jeanne Fitzpatrick, who will be volunteering at the drive this year, said they have slots for 37 donors and hope to reach the maximum amount they can. “We are the only blood drive north of the bypass on the Outer Banks,” she said. Fitzpatrick and the team are looking for volunteers to help with the event as well as donors to participate.

Usually, the fire station only holds blood drives in the spring. This will be the first year a blood drive will take place in the winter in Corolla. “This time of year represents to the American Red Cross an especially critical time for blood donation,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s why we have added this additional blood drive.”

To make the process of giving blood much less time consuming, Fitzpatrick said participants can use “Rapid Pass” to input their information prior to the drive. “This enables potential donors to go in and do most of intake which is what takes up the most time,” Fitzpatrick said.

The Corolla Fire and Rescue team are baking goodies for the event. The volunteers will provide all kinds of bakes goods and coffee to give to their donors. Every donor will also receive a $5 Amazon gift card.

“What better gift to give this season than the gift of life?”

To preregister for the event, visit www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=27927. To use the “Rapid Pass,” visit www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/manage-my-donations/rapidpass.html.

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