To be eligible to donate, one must be 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and be in reasonably good health. A person can give every 56 days. All blood types are needed, but especially O negative and O positive. Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when they come to donate.

Local drives include the following:

Monday, Jan. 16 at South Jefferson Elementary School from 1 to 6 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 16 at Knights of Columbus, 108 West Stephen St., Martinsburg from 1:30-6:30 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 23 at the Charles Town Wal Mart from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 23 at the Fellowship Church of Brethren, 505 Blossom Dr., Martinsburg, from 2 to 7 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 23 at the Martinsburg Mall from 1 to 6 p.m.; and Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Shepherd University from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sign up on-line at www.redcrossblood.org.