Give blood for a chance at a new car

"Drive For Life, Help Put the Brakes on Blood Shortages" is a blood drive sponsored by The Northwest Florida Blood Center Foundation that offers donors a chance to win a brand new KIA Optima.

The Northwest Florida Blood Center Foundation gratefully accepted the keys to a 2007 KIA Optima from KIA Autosport of Pensacola for the "Drive For Life, Help Put the Brakes on Blood Shortages" Blood Drive. The blood drive event will run from through January 4, 2008. Blood Donors, in accordance with the eligibility rules, may register to win the 2007 KIA Optima.

A special Kick-Off Drive for Life Blood Drive will be held on Saturday, July 7 at KIA Autosport of Pensacola located at 6637 Pensacola Boulevard from 11am to 3pm. WXBM will provide a live remote broadcast of the event while Flamingo Subs will provide food. The 2007 KIA Optima will be showcased at the Kick- Off Drive.

Three winners will be picked and the top winner will receive the car; second place winner receives a $500 gas card and the third place winner receives a $250 gas car. Each blood donor in accordance with the eligibility rules will receive a special Drive for Life t-shirt. Donors may donate at either the 1999 East Nine Mile Road Laboratory and Donor Facility, 2209 North Ninth Avenue Center or at bloodmobile blood drives in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and other special blood drives. A total of sixty finalists will be selected at the end of the blood drive period and notified. The Grand Prize KIA Optima winner and second and third place winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 9, 2008. Rules of eligibility will be posted on the Northwest Florida Blood Center website www.nfbcblood.org

Blood donors and first time blood donors are invited to participate and register to win the 2007 KIA Optima. Businesses, churches and service groups are encouraged to schedule blood drives to participate in the event. To schedule a blood drive call Donor Recruitment at 850-473-3853.

You are eligible to donate if you are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and have a picture ID and are in good health. Donation time should be less than one hour. The process includes: registration, a health history survey, blood pressure and iron level checks. The blood draw itself is approximately nine minutes. The Northwest Florida Blood Center and KIA Autosport are hopeful the attraction of winning a car will motivate blood donors to help blood shortages in our community.For more information call 850-473-3853.