WHAT: A Red Cross blood drive in Tuscaloosa.

WHO: Hosted by The Red Cross, all people able to are encouraged to donate.

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 27, noon-5 p.m.

WHERE: Ridgecrest South, 905 2nd Street

WHY: The Red Cross urges eligible donors to maintain a diverse blood supply.

“It’s very important for everyone to donate blood,” said Ronnika McFall, external communications director for the American Red Cross. “Blood and platelets are used for burn victims, patients with cancer. Every two seconds, someone in the world is in need of blood.”

Platelets are a key component of blood, often needed by cancer patients, surgical patients and bone marrow recipients, McFall said.