Sycamore Shoals Hospital in cooperation with the Marsh Regional Blood Center will host the Duncan Street Memorial Blood Drive on Thursday, Dec. 20, from noon to 6 p.m.

Street, former president of Carter County Bank, who died in September 2015, was a very faithful four-gallon blood donor with Marsh Regional Blood Center. He enjoyed helping others and giving back to his community.

An appeal is being made by the Marsh Regional Blood Center for O-negative blood, for which there is a critical need for donors. Don Campbell, director of the blood center, said the lack of blood drives during Thanksgiving, as well as scheduled blood drives that were cancelled due to snow, caused a drop in Marsh Regional’s O-negative blood supply.

“We are asking anyone in the area who has O-negative blood and is able to donate to please consider sharing the gift of life,” Campbell said. “This region has always risen to the occasion when we have had a need before, and a visit to one of our donor centers or a blood drive this week will have a profound impact on our ability to ensure an adequate blood supply to treat our friends and neighbors.”

While Marsh Regional always encourages donations of all blood types, donors with O-negative blood types are particularly important, as their blood can be used for any patient. Blood donations are especially important during the holiday season, as many regular donors go on vacation or participate in festivities. However, the need for blood to treat illnesses and injuries does not slow down during this time of year.

Additionally, everyone who gives blood during December will receive a special-edition Blood Donor T-shirt.

As many as three lives can be saved each time someone donates blood — and blood donations to Marsh Regional stay local to help people in this region.

Marsh Regional supplies blood to 25 regional medical facilities, 12 cancer centers and five air rescue bases in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. Healthcare facilities that rely on Marsh Regional for blood and blood products include: Bristol Regional Medical Center, Buchanan General Hospital, Clinch Valley Medical Center, Dickenson Community Hospital, Hancock County Hospital, Hawkins County Memorial Hospital, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Holston Valley Medical Center, Indian Path Hospital, James H. Quillen VA Healthcare System, Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson County Community Hospital, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Lonesome Pine Hospital, Mountain View Regional Hospital, Norton Community Hospital, The Rehabilitation Hospital of Southwest Virginia, Russell County Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital, Smyth County Community Hospital, Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Takoma Regional Hospital, Tazewell Community Hospital and Unicoi County Hospital.

To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. People with a cold, sore throat, fever, flu or fever blisters or who are taking antibiotics may not donate. Donors should eat a balanced meal before giving blood.