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COLUMBIA (WACH) - People are giving out more than candy this Halloween. Many in the Midlands are rolling up their sleeves to give the gift of life.

The South Carolina Red Cross hosted its 10th annual "Drain the Blood Drive" Wednesday in Columbia.

Donors received t-shirts and tickets to local Halloween attractions.

According to the Red Cross, 500 people need to give blood or platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand in South Carolina.

Mary Degnan has a special reason to donate.

"I do it in honor of my brother - memory of my brother - because he passed away with kidney disease," said Degnan.

The Red Cross is also taking donations for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

For more information, or to set up an appointment to give blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS.