Blood banks need blood before New Year

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The few days between Christmas and New Year's Eve is a chance for most people to relax during the holiday season. But not for blood banks, who are hoping to be as busy as possible during the final week of 2009.

The WAVY TV 10 Every Drop Counts Blood Drive is a chance for blood banks to make up for a down year in donations. With four locations across Hampton Roads, the blood drive will allow people anywhere in the area to become donors and give back this holiday season by giving blood.

It doesn't take a big time commitment, but it makes a huge difference for blood banks who said this can be the slowest time of year for donations, as people get caught up spending time with family or go on vacation.

And even though donations drop, the need for blood is still there.

You can donate blood at any of the following locations:

• Patrick Henry Mall
• Greenbrier Mall
• Chesapeake Square Mall
• Pembroke Mall

The WAVY TV 10 Every Drop Counts Blood Drive starts Dec. 28 and runs through Dec. 31. Hours are from 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday.