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BY MARY JANE FARMER

HERALD DEMOCRAT

In 1970, President Richard Nixon designated January as National Blood Donor Month. In his proclamation, he encouraged the public, the medical health and blood-banking facilities, the media, and the public at large to act in partnership. Five years later saw the birth of the Texoma Regional Blood Center, which serves the hospitals in Cooke, Grayson, and Fannin counties.

The Herald Democrat is an active supporter of Texoma Regional Blood Center's blood drive efforts, and will be hosting its Bloodmobile from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday in the Sherman facility's parking lot at 603 S. Sam Rayburn Fwy.

John Wright, Herald Democrat publisher, said, "We hope the public will take advantage of the newspaper's central location, its easy access off U.S. Highway 75, and the hour beyond the normal workday to stop by and become a blood donor."

There are some guidelines offered by the Blood Center, listed below.

Age and weight: 17 years or older, at least 110 pounds;

Eating and drinking: Eat a full meal within four hours before giving, drink lots of water or juice just before and after giving, and avoid alcoholic beverages for 12 hours before and after donating.

Medications and illnesses: Talk with the staff at the Blood Center or in the Bloodmobile about any medications you are taking, including injections, and about any illnesses you may have. The staff will take your blood pressure, temperature, and pulse before donating;

Strenuous activity: Avoid for 12 hours after donating. People with strenuous or hazardous jobs should donate at the end of their work shift.

The Herald Democrat can be reached at 903-893-8181 for more information or directions. The Blood Center is at 3911 N. Texoma Parkway in Sherman and can be reached at 903-893-4313, by fax at 903-893-8628, or on the Internet at www.texomablood.org.