Once again, the Farmville Police Department and the Farmville Fire Department will team up with the American Red Cross for the ninth annual “Heartland Heroes Blood Drive” to be held Friday, April 5.

The same as last year, each donor will be asked to donate blood in honor of one of the departments. 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. Last year, the two departments combined recruitment effort gathered 62 units of blood. Those 62 units of blood have the potential to save 186 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.

The Farmville Fire Department and Farmville Police Department will host the April 5 drive at the John’s Memorial Parish House on High Street. The event will run from noon-6 p.m. Department members will be on-site cooking hamburgers and hotdogs while recruiting additional donors. Come out and donate blood in honor of the “Heartland Heroes.”

For more information contact Lieutenant C. W. Moss at (434) 392-9259.