The Market Shops will host their second blood drive of 2021 with the OneBlood Big Red Bus on Friday, February 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All donors will receive a complimentary COVID-19 Antibody Test in addition to the regularly administered wellness checkup consisting of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and iron count, including cholesterol screening.Donors are advised to refrain from donating if they have a fever. Donors must wait at least 14 days before donating if they have been exposed to someone who has or may have COVID-19, have recently been tested and are pending test results for COVID-19 or if they have a confirmed active case of COVID-19. Those planning to donate can schedule an appointment ahead of time by visiting www.oneblood.org/donate-now and use sponsor code #37126.

The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating by logging into their donor portal at www.oneblood.org.

Donors will also receive a $10 eGift Card and OneBlood long sleeve tshirt, along with exclusive discounts from The Market Shops merchants including a free mini iced cinnamon biscuit from Maple Street Biscuit Company, a kid’s scoop of ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s, 10 percent off a purchase at Clean Juice, 10 percent off a purchase at Jon Smith Subs, and 25 percent off a purchase at Pizza by the Sea.

OneBlood is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community asset responsible for providing safe, available and affordable blood. Generally healthy people ages 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds and have a valid photo ID can donate blood.

One in three people will need blood in their lifetime. Blood that is donated on February 26 will likely be transfused within two to three days. The turn-around is that fast, the need is constant. Many potential blood donors believe that they cannot donate blood due to medical or other reasons. If you are curious if you are a candidate for donation or to learn more about the importance of blood donation and how donors can target the power of their blood type, visit oneblood.org.