DECATUR - Local blood donors sought to add a bit of crimson to Saturday's red, white and blue holiday by rolling up their sleeves Thursday at the Mid-Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross' Fourth of July blood drive.

Nancy Askins, a regular volunteer at the blood services registration desk, said an average Thursday drive brings out about 25 to 30 donors in six hours. In the first three hours of this week's drive, 36 donors already had gone through.

Donor Robert Bruer, 61, said it wasn't the chance to be entered into a drawing for food coupons, airline tickets or other prizes that brought him out to give. Nor was it the free Dilly Bar provided to each donor, compliments of Dairy Queen.

"The treats are nice, but that's not the main reason," Bruer said with a chuckle. "I can have treats at home."

The most important part about donating, he said, is saving lives. He has been giving regularly since 1966 and tries to donate a unit every two months or so.

Bruer and his wife, Joan, sometimes have a race to see who can finish with the donation process faster, but she was deferred Thursday, due to a hemoglobin level too low to give.

Team leader Terri Wingard said donating blood during the summer is critically important, as some regular donors take a break from their routines, and more people are out and about on the roads and on vacation.

"Holidays are always busy," said Jody Cox, the chapter's director of public support.

Although the blood supply remains stable, the need is constant during the summer, she said. From the time schools let out, there is a 57 percent drop in donations from students, leaving a void for volunteer donors to fill, Cox said.

Blood drive staff encouraged all summertime donors to remember to drink extra noncaffeinated, nonalcoholic liquids the day they plan to donate, as people tend to lose more fluids during warmer weather.

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