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COLUMBIA (WACH)—The American Red Cross is partnering with the Texas Roadhouse to reward people who give the gift of life.

Throughout the month of December, people who donate blood at the Columbia Donation Center, located at 2751 Bull Street, will receive a coupon for a free appetizer, courtesy of the Texas Roadhouse.

According to local American Red Cross Manager Jamie Muldrow says that through the Home for the Holidays campaign, blood donors will also have an opportunity to enter a drawing to win a pair of roundtrip Delta Air Line domestic tickets.

Muldrow says that 500 blood donations are needed each day to meet the needs of the 54 hospitals that the South Carolina Blood Services Region Headquarters services.  Nationally, someone needs blood every 2 seconds.

For more information on giving blood, the drawing for tickets or the partnership with the Texas Roadhouse, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org.