SIDNEY – The Sidney Masonic Temple Association will begin the New Year by hosting a community blood drive Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at 303 E. Poplar St. Community Blood Center is honoring donors as “a force for good” with the “Rogue Blood Donor – A Story of Hope” Star Wars inspired T-shirt, free to everyone who registers to donate. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call 1-800-388-GIVE.

The Star Wars saga is a favorite science fiction fantasy with its enduring theme of hope. The “Rogue Blood Donor – a Story of Hope” T-shirt is black with the iconic moon-sized space station in the shape of a blood drop. It’s free to anyone who registers to donate through Saturday, Jan. 7 at any CBC Donor Center and most CBC mobile blood drives.

January is designated “National Blood Donor Month” because winter is a challenging time for maintaining the area blood supply. If you must miss an appointment to donate please reschedule when you can. We especially encourage the continued support of type O whole blood donors and type A/B platelet and plasma donors.

Community Blood Center is now testing blood donations for the Zika virus and is no longer deferring donors for travel to Zika endemic areas. By consenting to give blood, donors are agreeing to participate in a research study to help develop better testing systems to protect the blood supply.

Learn more at www.GivingBlood.org.