The SunCoast Blood Centers mobile unit will be at Venice City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave., for a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.

SunCoast officials encourage all City employees and members of the public who feel well to come out and donate the “gift of life” to ensure that blood is available for those patients who need it. Note: It must be 56 days since your last whole blood donation. ID required please.

Donors can receive up to $50 in e-gift cards. Donors also receive a wellness checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening, and a snack.

Appointments are encouraged, but not required. Schedule an appointment to donate here.

SunCoast Blood Centers serves hospitals across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties, providing essential blood products for accident victims, cancer patients, and newborns in the NICU. Suncoast is the only blood center that supplies 100% of the hospitals in Venice and Sarasota County.

For more information, visit SunCoastBlood.org or call 866-97-BLOOD.