Cape Fear Valley Closing Out March With Several Fayetteville-Area Blood Drives

Here's a great idea. Take a few minutes, stick out your left or right arm and save someone's life. I was hoping that would get your attention to get you out to one of the upcoming Fayetteville-area blood drives to close out March.

On behalf of the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, it is blood-drive time. Below you will find a list of the local blood drives that are scheduled for the remainder of the month.

Now back to saving someone's life. Truly, it is just that easy. Every time you donate, your pint of blood may save as many as three lives. Just think of those needing surgery along with cancer patients, vehicle accidents, etc.

All blood types are needed but especially Type O-Negative. Type O-Negative is considered a universal type and can be given to any patient that needs blood.

I spoke with Angela, a recruiter with the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center. Angela, who schedules the community blood drives encourages you to contact her if you have an interest in having a blood drive at your church, community center or business. Call Angela at 910-615-5433 or you can email her at ACooper3@CapeFearValley.com.

Angela also told me that the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center serves patients in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett and Bladen counties.

In addition to attending one of the Fayetteville-area blood drives below, you can also donate at the Blood Donor Center located in the Bordeaux Shopping Center at 3357 Village Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Blood Donor Center is open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center is also open from 8 a.m. until 12 noon on the third Saturday of each month.

For additional information on Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center Fayetteville-area blood drives, click here.

CFV-HOKE HOSPITAL
Date: 3/22/2024 Time: 10:00AM to 2:00PM
Address: 210 MEDICAL PAVILION DR. RAEFORD NC 28376
Phone: 910-904-8010

FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL CC
Date: 3/23/2024 Time: 11:00AM to 2:00PM
Address: 2201 HULL RD. FAYETTEVILLE NC 28303
Phone: 910-678-8385

CAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Date: 3/25/2024 Time: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Address: 1683 OWEN DRIVE FAYETTEVILLE NC 28304
Phone: 910-615-3300

FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE - SL
Date: 3/26/2024 Time: 4:00PM to 6:00PM
Address: 171 LAKETREE BLVD. SPRING LAKE NC 28390
Phone: 910-678-1000

PINE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL
Date: 3/27/2024 Time: 9:00AM to 3:00PM
Address: 525 ANDREWS RD. FAYETTEVILLE NC 28301
Phone: 910-488-2384

FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL CC
Date: 3/28/2024 Time: 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Address: 2201 HULL RD. FAYETTEVILLE NC 28303
Phone: 910-678-8385

WELLCARE BLOCK PARTY/HEALTH FAIR
Date: 3/30/2024 Time: 11:00AM to 3:00PM
Address: PEMBROKE REC COMPLEX 7164 NC HIGHWAY 711 PEMBROKE NC 28372

For the first time in nearly seven years, a total solar eclipse is once again coming through North America! The eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, which gives North Carolina residents time to prepare for the festivities. Many viewing parties are scheduled throughout the state on the day of the celestial phenomenon, so let's take a look at these places you can enjoy the solar eclipse in North Carolina.

For those who don't know, a solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and the earth. According to NASA this year's total solar eclipse will be the last one to go through the United States until 2044. While North Carolina won't be in the "path of totality" (any location where the moon completely covers the face of the sun), the Tar Heel state will still be able to enjoy a breathtaking partial eclipse around 2:00 that afternoon.

In an interview with Public Radio East, Dr. Patrick Treuthardt of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences explained what NC sky-watchers could expect to see on April 8. "The moon is going to obscure about 75% of the disk of the sun, so it's going to look like a large bite has been taken out of the sun by the moon."

Dr. Treuthardt also stressed the importance of proper safety precautions for the eclipse, urging everyone to come equipped with special eclipse-friendly eyewear. It's very dangerous to look at the sun for an extended period of time because it can burn your retina," he said, "so you do want to be careful and you do want to make sure that these eclipse glasses that you get are good."

NASA is also urging people to be safe and responsible while viewing the eclipse. Reminder: eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses. You can find safe and effective solar viewers and filters here.

As expected, many locations throughout North Carolina are holding safe solar eclipse viewing parties that day. Here are a few that you and the family can go to safely enjoy one of nature's most thrilling spectacles:

https://www.uncfsu.edu/about-fsu/community/planetarium

FSU will have several telescopes available to view the eclipse from 2:00 - 4:30, including their brand new 70 mm solar H-alpha telescope! This free event is for the entire community. There will be a limited number of Eclipse Glasses for sale during the event.

NC State is holding a viewing party at the Witherspoon Student Center in Raleigh on April 8. Solar eclipse glasses will be provided if you don't have your own pair. This event is free and open to the public.

Discovery Place Science in Charlotte NC is celebrating the solar eclipse for an entire week before it actually passes through. The week of workshops and fun activities will start April 1 and end on the 8th with a viewing atop the museum's parking deck. The museum will also feature a live stream of the eclipse's totality in their IMAX theatre.

https://www.wake.gov/events/solar-eclipse-viewing-party-april-8th-2024-0230pm

All ages, adults and youth, are invited to join the Wake County government April 8 at the Duraleigh Road Community Library. There will be eclipse trivia, eclipse fun, and a viewing of the rare event! Eclipse glasses will be provided. Registration is requested.

The North Carolina Science Festival is holding a statewide Star Party across many counties throughout the Tar Heel state. These events will run between April 5-8, with many educational opportunities for those who wish to learn more about the cosmos. Click here to find a Star Party close to you.