Annual M.A.S.H. Bash blood drive planned for Friday

Arkansas Blood Institute will host its 39th annual M.A.S.H. Bash Blood Drive from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Uptown Hot Springs, formerly Hot Springs Mall, at 4501 Central Ave., with giveaways and chances to win prizes for donors.

The event is “to raise awareness of the ongoing need for donors to secure Arkansas’ blood supply, especially in the summer months, through a nod to the patriotic spirit of the classic TV show ‘M.A.S.H.,’” Caleb Yarbrough, ABI public relations account manager, said in a news release.

Donors, who must be healthy at least 16 years old, will receive a collector’s edition M.A.S.H. Bash T-shirt and one free admission to Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, the release states.

Donors who are 16 years old must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission. Donors who are 17 years old must weigh at least 125 pounds. Donors who are 18 and older must weigh at least 110 pounds.

All donors will also be entered for a chance to win a series of gift cards, including one of three $100 Big Red gas cards; a $100 VISA gift card courtesy of KLAZ; or the grand prize of a $500 VISA gift card.

Donors will also receive custom dog tags, a squeeze toy grenade and “can enjoy delicious free food,” the release said.

“M.A.S.H. Bash is a long-standing tradition that generates a lot of community spirit,” Mario Sedlock, ABI’s executive director, said in the release.

“Summer is a particularly challenging time for the blood supply, so M.A.S.H. Bash gives Hot Springs residents a chance to take part in the essential activity of donating blood to make sure our local hospitals have the lifesaving blood they need for patients,” he said.

Arkansas Blood Institute is a nonprofit blood supplier, supporting the inventory for patients in more than 40 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.

Appointments for the blood drive are not required but can be made by calling ABI at 877-340-8777 or visiting http://www.arkbi.org.