The following is a brief of the full story. For the full version, see Monday's print edition of the Boonville Daily News.

Pilot Grove, Mo. - It takes two to ride a tandem bicycle, sing a duet or play checkers. The American Red Cross says it also takes two to save a life – the generous donor rolling up their sleeve and the Red Cross, working together to ensure life-saving blood is on hospital shelves for patients in need. Locally, you can be part of a life-saving duo by giving blood at the St. Joseph Catholic Church blood drive on Jan. 26 from 2 to 7 p.m.

It also takes two in our community to spread the message of the on-going need for blood. During January and February, everyone coming to donate at a Red Cross blood drive will receive two Sonic® coupons for one life-saving donation. Receive a coupon for a  free medium cherry limeade, and a buy one, get one free Sonic® Burger coupon for another visit.

“Local Sonic Drive-Ins are excited to be working with the Red Cross to raise the awareness of the need for blood,” said Christina Bell, Regional Marketing Director for Sonic Corp. “We want to thank blood donors on their next visit to our drive-ins, and thank each one for caring enough to save a life.”

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Those in need of blood include not only victims of disasters or traumas but a daily list of scheduled surgeries at area hospitals. From heart surgery to joint replacements, organ transplants or premature babies, leukemia and cancer treatments and many more, these patients can be old or young, family or friends, a next-door neighbor or a visitor to the area.