BARNESVILLE — This May, nonprofit Vitalant calls on you to step up and become a hometown hero at the 40th annual Barnesville Blood Bash.

Brought to life by the energetic spirit of student volunteers, this essential event plays a crucial role in delivering life-saving blood donations to local medical centers, including WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital. Plus, as a token of gratitude, all students who sign up to donate blood will be entered for a chance to win a Vitalant scholarship.

Every year, about 219,000 units of blood and platelets are needed to help patients experiencing women’s health issues, including complications in about 1 of every 83 births. Leading up Mother’s Day, Vitalant highlights this need by thanking donors who give between April 21 to May 23 with a chance to win one of 83, $83 gift cards when they opt-in to the Vitalant Donor Rewards program.

A student-led tradition at Barnesville High School, the upcoming 40th annual Barnesville Blood Bash takes place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday in the Barnesville High School gym and wrestling room, 910 Shamrock Drive.

To make an appointment visit vitalant.org/bloodbash or call 877-258-4825.

Vitalant is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.