CAPE GIRARDEAU - The American Red Cross and the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Southeast Missouri State University invite you to “Rock ’n’ Roll Up Your Sleeve” to donate blood from 1 to 5 p.m. July 18 at the CIE blood drive at 920 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

According to the American Red Cross, “every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion.” Donating blood can help save up to three lives because blood is separated into its components – red cells, plasma and platelets – to treat patients with different needs. The Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. This shortfall leaves the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand now than this time last year.

All presenting donors will receive a Rock ’n’ Roll T-Shirt (while supplies last) and be eligible to win a Gibson guitar. As a special incentive for young donors, anyone age 16-21 can enter to win a $5,000 scholarship. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/SummerYouth2012 for more information about the scholarship.

Those wishing to donate on July 18 are asked to call Heather at (573) 651-5156 to schedule an appointment or stop by between 1 and 5 p.m. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is one of the most comprehensive entrepreneurship-focused university centers in the Midwest, offering a wide array of academic and outreach programs and services, including: innovation development and research; entrepreneurship education, training and mentorship; and business consulting, incubation and development services. The CIE supports Southeast Missouri State University’s strategic priority to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and development that improve the quality of lives, communities and businesses in southeast Missouri and the Southeast region.

For more information about the CIE and the entrepreneurial support services it offers, contact (573) 651-2929 or visit SEMO.edu/CIE or for more information about donating blood or to find other blood drives in the area, visit RedCrossBlood.org.