The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is supporting students in need through its Fourth Annual ‘Pints for Pencils’ campaign. For blood donations in August and September, CBCC will provide school supplies in the communities it serves – 16 North Carolina and three South Carolina counties.

“‘Pints for Pencils’ is one of the many ways we support local students, who make up over twenty percent of our donor base,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. “We encourage our community members to donate blood and help save lives while giving students the tools they need to succeed.”

Anyone 16 and older who weighs at least 120 pounds is encouraged to donate at one of the four CBCC centers located in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia and Hickory or at one of CBCC's many mobile blood drives, which can be found at www.carolinadonor.org. For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-972-4700.

Throughout the year, CBCC also offers students and high schools the opportunity to win scholarships and grants. Since 2009, CBCC has awarded over $139,500 in scholarships and grants. For more information, contact Kim Jones at 704-972-4727 or email kljones@cbcc.us.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is a non-profit community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to 22 regional hospitals, serving 16 North Carolina and three South Carolina counties. CBCC focuses exclusively on gathering red blood cells, platelets and plasma from volunteer donors to save local lives here in the Carolinas. Every drop stays here, saving local lives. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers providing more than 50% of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.