CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

NB Lifeguards to Host Annual End of Summer Blood Drive

Newport Beach lifeguards are looking for community members to volunteer to donate blood on Wednesday as part of their annual End of Summer Blood Drive.

The drive will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Newport Beach Lifeguard Headquarters near the Newport Pier. Hot dogs, burgers and other refreshments will be provided for donors, organizers said.

Walk-ins are always welcome, but you also may reserve a spot by calling (949) 338-1462 or (949) 644-3047. Only a few people are signed up so far, Llifeguard Battalion Chief Jim Turner said in an email.

The blood drive is a contest between Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, his email said. The drive annually provides more than 100 units of blood to assist in lifesaving measures for 300 people in need, organizers have said.

Blood donations cannot be stockpiled, with the shelf life ranging from a few hours for some cells to 42 days for others, according to the Newport Beach Fire Department. Blood donations must be made on a regular basis in order to maintain an adequate supply in the community. Blood is needed daily to treat surgical and cancer patients, people with blood diseases, burn victims and victims of automobile accidents or other traumatic injuries.