According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood donations has reached a “critical” level. The Guthrie Center Lions Club will do what they can to help alleviate the growing concern by hosting a blood drive Thursday at First Christian Church from 2-6pm.

The drive will be a mobile one as donations will be collected in the Blood Mobile. Royal Neighbors of America will provide juice and homemade cookies to ease the donation process. The critical designation is due, in large part, to over 550 blood drives forced to cancel due to weather. The rampant influenza season has also impacted low turnout in drives that have gone on as scheduled.