If you haven’t made your appointment for the upcoming Stanley-Boyd Community Red Cross Blood Drive, Monday, March 6, 12 to 6 pm at the Stanley Community Center, it isn’t too late yet. All registering donors will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate from Sunrise.

Appointments can be made by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767, visiting RedCrossBlood.org and enter Stanley Boyd, or call Donella Christianson at 715-644-3638. Schedule your appointment today before the open slots fill up. All donors are needed.

Be sure to eat these high-iron foods, ready to eat cereals beans, spinach, beef, shrimp, tomatoes, oysters, broccoli, rice, peas, potatoes, and watermelon.

There are two types of iron – heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron, which is found in meat, fish and poultry, is more easily absorbed than the non-heme iron, which is found primarily in fruits, vegetables, dried beans, nuts and grain products. When you eat the two together, the non-heme iron is more easily absorbed. Foods high in vitamin C, like tomatoes, citrus fruits and red, yellow and orange peppers, can also help with the absorption of non-heme iron.

Avoid the iron busters, which are foods or substances that may reduce the absorption of rion by your body when consumed at the same time. Some of these iron busters are caffeinated beverages, chocolate, an excess of high-fiber foods, and some medications like antacids or phosphate salts.

The other upcoming blood drive dates are, June 1, August 4, October 13, and December 22.