Iam rare. When I mentioned this to my family, they just laughed.

In July, I decided to give blood for the first time in 20 years. A couple of weeks later, I got a letter from the Red Cross saying I had been inducted into their rare blood donor program. My blood type is found in less than 1% of the population. My red cells also have an added benefit of being resistant to malaria.

Blood donations are at low levels across the nation. The Red Cross has blood drives in our area to replenish its supplies. The Sam’s Club in Irmo has one on August 17, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.  The Chapin Lake Murray Presbyterian Church’s blood drive is August 27, 3-8 p.m.  Blood donors will receive a $5 Amazon gift card by email. Visit www.redcross.org and use your zip code to other drives.. Donate and help fill a great need.   

Saluda Shoals has two programs to enjoy these last days of summer. An mailto:interprebsenn@icrc.net or interpretive paddle tour that includes a history of the area is August 17, 5:30-8 p.m. Moonlight on the Saluda tour on August 24, 6-8 p.m., will introduce the sights and sounds of nature on Lake Murray.  Contact Bryan Senn, 213-2062, email bsenn@icrc.net or call 772-1228 for more information

School supplies are expensive, especially for the homeless. The Irmo Chamber is sponsoring a back to school backpack drive for the homeless children in the Midlands. Drop off the backpacks filled with pencils, pens, crayons, binders, notebooks, and paper to the chamber at 1235 Columbia Ave 

 Concerned about the health of Lake Murray? The Lake Murray Association will have its next meeting at Macedonia Lutheran Church on August 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Visit www.lakemurrayassocation.com formore information.