The Charleston Moose Lodge #1388 will be sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive today from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at their 615 Seventh St. location.

The Red Cross is hoping to get at least 40 donors to the drive.

“There is a shortage, especially this time of year,” Red Cross volunteer Marjorie Howard said. “We need to begin stockpiling our blood supply after the low donation numbers in the summer months.”

Everyone who attends will receive a T-shirt compliments of the Red Cross, regardless if you are eligible to donate blood or not.

To be eligible to donate, a person must be at least 16 and weigh 110 pounds or more.

People who have had surgery within the past six months or received a tattoo or piercing within the last year are not eligible to donate.

Anyone who has donated blood within the last eight weeks is not eligible to donate at this time either.

Everyone who donates will receive a donor card in the mail a few weeks after the drive which is useful for people who plan to donate blood again in the future.

“It gives information about a donor’s blood type and provides identification for us,” Howard said.

The Bank on Seventh Street has donated a $50 maturity savings bond to be raffled off. The Moose Lodge has also donated $50 in cash. Both raffle prizes are available to all who donate; the winner will be drawn after the drive has concluded.