WHAT: Gainesville Girl Scout Troup 881 is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive in honor of U.S. Army Capt. Daniel MacArthur Gade. He was recently critically injured in Iraq when an explosive detonated near his vehicle. Gade, who has received more than 150 units of blood, is now in an intensive care unit at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:   Friday, Feb. 18 through Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005

WHERE:  Gainesville Donor
             311 Jesse Jewell Parkway #102
             Gainesville, GA 30503

             Monday through Wednesdsay: Noon to 7 p.m.
             Thursday through Saturday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

             *All blood drive participants will receive a box of Girl Scout cookies
              and an American Red Cross red wrist band

WHY: Gade, his wife Wendy, two-year-old daughter AnnaGrace and relatives who live in metro Atlanta have experienced first hand the importance of blood being available during an emergency. Since someone in America needs blood every two seconds, Girl Scout Troup 881, led by Lona Zink, felt that the best way to help was to encourage others to donate blood and help save the lives of hospital patients like Gade.

HOW: Most healthy people age 17 or older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, can donate blood. For more information or to make an appointment, people can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.givebloodredcross.org.