The holiday season has ended and a new year is underway, which means it’s time to get back to regular routines and schedules. But what if you could escape the hustle and bustle of the daily grind and set out on an adventure? Present to donate blood or platelets with the American Red Cross and you could “Take to the Skies!” with Delta Air Lines.

On Monday, March 14, the Polk Community Blood Drive will be held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church (located on Melrose Avenue in Tryon), from 12:30 – 5 p.m. Call 828-894-2700 for more information or to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of two pairs of roundtrip Delta Airline tickets.

On Sunday, March 27, a blood drive will be held at Coopers Gap Baptist Church, located at 730 Coopers Gap Road in Columbus, from 1:30 – 6 p.m. Call 828-894-8059, 828-894-3232 or 828-625-9272 for more information or to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of two pairs of roundtrip Delta Airline tickets.

The campaign, which runs from January 1 to March 31, 2011, gives each person who presents to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross an opportunity to enter a drawing for the chance to win one of two pairs of roundtrip Delta Air Lines domestic tickets.

During the winter months, the blood supply often suffers tremendously, but the need for blood is constant. Therefore, the Red Cross is encouraging donors to start the year off right by helping make sure the blood supply in the region remains at an adequate level.

“Every day, people attend American Red Cross blood drives and give another chance to someone they will never meet,” stated Joyce Brendel, chief executive officer with the Carolinas Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “The Red Cross is grateful to Delta Air Lines for this unique opportunity to say thank you to blood donors for helping hospital patients in need.”

The Carolinas Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet the needs of patients.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

To schedule a donation appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit on-line at redcrossblood.org.