The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, which helps provide blood supplies to hospitals in the region, is facing a “critical blood shortage” due to the pandemic, and hopes to help build up supplies with upcoming blood drives in Hoke County.

There will be a blood drive at Rockfish Fire Department at 7600 Philippi Church Road Thursday, April 8 from 3-6 p.m., and a blood drive at Rockfish Church at 9949 Fayetteville Road Wednesday, April 14 from 4:30-8 p.m.

The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center provides blood for patients in Hoke, Cumberland, Harnett and Bladen counties. Currently the blood donor center only has about a one to two day supply of blood, according to Dianne Carter, mobile recruitment coordinator for the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center.

“We have reached out to the national blood exchange multiple times to purchase blood and none is available. The shortage is Nationwide due to the pandemic,” Carter said in an email.

“One serious accident with an emergency trauma patient could wipe out our blood supply,” Carter wrote.

The donor center is also looking for places in the Raeford and Hoke area willing to host a blood drive.

Besides helping save a life, donating blood through the donor center has a few special offers too.

For high school students: This year high school students who donate can enter to win a car, courtesy of Powers Swain Chevrolet. Students can encourage their family and friends to donate on their behalf and enter the students name to give them more chances to win.

For everyone: The center is offering all donors a free COVID-19 antibody test and a free t-shirt to say thank you.

Donors can go to www.savingliveslocally.org to find other blood drives in the four counties.