Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad’s 11th annual blood drive, sponsored by Junior EMS and Fire Cadet members, will be held from 1-7 p.m. Friday at Station 1 on Main Street in Gloucester.

Residents are invited to celebrate life and make a difference by giving blood, said drive organizer Sean McNulty.

“It could be a young child with a rare blood disorder, a family member fighting cancer, or a friend involved in a car accident,” he said.

Local blood donations are meant to stay local, said McNulty, which means that many of the people who have been helped by the blood drive over the years have been friends and neighbors.

To schedule an appointment to give blood, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter GVFRS.  ...