Have you made your resolution this year? Why not make a resolution that will help save lives and takes only a little bit of your time? Cox Radio has joined forces with Virginia Blood Services for the Resolution Blood Drive 2009, happening Monday, January 12th! It will take place at Sheraton Park South, 9901 Midlothian Turnpike in the ballroom. You can stop by any time that is convenient for you, because we'll be there from 7AM to 7PM. Stop by and give the gift of life... one pint of blood saves 3 lives. This blood drive comes at a crucial time of year. January is the month with the most crucial need for blood donations. And you have the power to help.

This is the player we'll commonly use on the homepage in conjunction with the top story. Comment on this video Someone needs blood every two seconds Females receive 53 percent of blood transfusions; males receive 47 percent About one in seven people entering a hospital need blood One unit of blood can be separated into several components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate

Can’t make it to the Resolution 2009 Blood Drive? You can still give the gift of life at Virginia Blood Services anytime of year! Giving blood is easy! There is a simple 4 step process when you arrive: medical history check, quick physical, donation and snack! We’ll have food from Chick-Fil-A, Nacho Mama’s and Bonefish Grill. And for giving, you’ll be entered to win great prizes! You won’t walk away empty handed... you’ll get a Resolution 2009 t-shirt and more as a thank you from us for donating. Plus, sign a resolution to give blood throughout the year and you’ll be on your way to prizes in 2010!

• It burns calories. Donating one pint of blood (450 ml) burns 650 calories. An average adult has about 10 pints of blood in their body.
• It requires a mini physical. Before you’re allowed to donate, each person has their blood pressure, temperature, pulse and iron level checked to ensure they’re safe to give blood.
• It includes a blood test. Every blood donation is tested for seven infectious diseases. Those are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, HTLV, Syphilis, West Nile Virus and Chagas Disease. Donors are immediately informed if any of these tests are found to be positive.
• It doesn’t take long. The actual blood donation usually takes about 10 minutes. The entire process - from the time you sign in to the time you leave - takes about an hour.
• It has no maximum age requirement.

In Virginia, healthy adults who are at least 16-years-old and weigh at least 110 pounds may donate about a pint of blood - the most common form of donation - every 56 days, or every two months. (Sixteen year old donors must have written parental permission to donate.)