The Farmville Police Department and the Farmville Volunteer Fire Department will team up with the American Red Cross for the seventh annual “Heartland Heroes Blood Drive” to be held Friday.

“Just like last year, each donor will be asked to donate blood in honor of one of the departments,” police said in a press release. “The department generating the most donations will be awarded the ‘Heartland Heroes Blood Drive’ trophy to house for the year. This trophy is provided by the American Red Cross.”

Police said last year, the two departments combined recruitment effort gathered 59 units of blood. “Those 59 units of blood have the potential to save 177 lives.”

“According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. Blood cannot be manufactured; it must come from a donor. That’s why donating is so important. A single donation can help save the life of up to three people and the human body quickly replaces the donated blood,” police said.

The departments will host the Friday drive at the John’s Memorial Parish House on High Street.  The event will run noon-6 p.m. “Department members will be on site cooking hamburgers and hotdogs while recruiting additional donors.”