Southcoast Health Systems have announced its blood drives for March.

Southcoast uses more than 16,000 pints of blood a year. Currently through the local donor program, the Southcoast Blood bank collects 6,500 pints a year. The remainder of the blood is purchased from external sources and therefore dependent on the national blood supply.

In addition to emergency cases, blood is needed for people undergoing surgery and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and hemophilia.

Wareham’s blood drives will be:

Monday, March 17

Tobey Hospital

43 High Street

8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 23

St. Patrick's Church

82 High Street

8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.