The Farmville Police Department and the Farmville Fire Volunteer Department will team up with the American Red Cross for the sixth annual Heartland Heroes Blood Drive on Friday, April 1.

“Just like last year, each donor will be asked to donate blood in honor of one of the departments,” a police department release stated.

“The department generating the most donations will be awarded the Heartland Heroes Blood Drive trophy to house for the year. This trophy is provided by the American Red Cross. Last year, this combined recruitment effort gathered 69 units of blood. Those 69 units of blood had the potential to save 207 lives,” the release stated.

According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. “Blood cannot be manufactured, it must come from a donor. That’s why donating is so important. A single donation can help save the life of up to three people and the human body quickly replaces the donated blood.”

The Farmville Fire Department and Farmville Police Department will host the blood drive at the John’s Memorial Parish House on High Street. The event will run from  noon-6 p.m. Department members will be on site cooking hamburgers and hotdogs for donors, as well as recruiting additional donors.

For more information, contact Sgt. Chris Moss at (434) 392-2109) or Det. Sam Entrekin at (434) 392-2127.