From 7am until 7pm Thursday ABC Columbia and The Red Cross will hold a blood drive to help increase and maintain a stable blood supply which has been difficult to do during the holiday season. Red Cross officials say right now, only 8 percent of the people eligible to donate are actually doing it. And while the need is great, the need for donors is even greater.

Jamie Muldrow, Communications Manager for the Red Cross says the hour long process can save as many as three lives. Unfortunately they are not seeing as many people donate, because many people have been busy with the holidays. Now that things are calming down a bit , and people are getting back some sense of normalcy, Muldrow hopes people will take advantage of an opportunity to give back.

"There are so many patients in need and we are doing what we can to make sure they're getting the blood they need...donating blood may not be at the top of their list, but i hope they will put it at the top of their lists."

The event will take place all day at the Plex at the Village at Sandhills.