HOUSTON — The Houston Community Association will host a Community Blood Center blood drive Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 3-7 p.m. in the Houston Community Center, 5005 Russia-Houston Road.

The “Buckeye Strong Blood Donor” ceramic coffee tumbler is a warm gift to everyone who registers to donate. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call 1-800-388-GIVE.

CBC is celebrating the fall season and college football with the “Buckeye Strong Blood Donor” ceramic tumbler with removable silicone grip. It’s free to anyone who registers to donate Monday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Dec. 3 at any CBC Donor Center and most CBC mobile blood drives.

CBC to begin testing for Zika virus

Community Blood Center is taking necessary steps to comply with new recommendations issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to protect the blood supply against the Zika virus.

The FDA has recommended universal testing of all donated whole blood and blood components for the Zika virus in the U.S. and its territories. CBC has applied for use of the blood screening test. Ohio and Indiana are among the states that have until Nov. 18, 2016, to begin testing.

CBC will continue the screening methods in place to defer potential donors for 28 days who have traveled to Zika endemic areas in the prior four weeks. The list of active Zika transmission areas includes Florida’s Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County, as well as the Caribbean, Mexico and Central or South America.

CBC asks all donors to be aware that travel restrictions impact the available blood supply by further limiting the number of people able to donate. CBC encourages eligible donors to schedule appointments and donate when able.

Learn more at www.GivingBlood.org