An Albert Lea High School junior is hosting a blood drive Tuesday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Northbridge Mall in Albert Lea.

Maddi Dickey, 16, hosted her first blood drive when she was 14. For the blood drive on Tuesday, Dickey wants to educate donors about another simple way they can help others.

Dickey invited the Be the Match program to the drive. A representative will be at the blood drive to answer questions and explain bone marrow donation.

He will also be able to do cheek swab tests on the willing to try to find matches.

“We invited him because I have a friend on my volleyball team and her mom needs a bone marrow transplant so we called him to ask for help,” Dickey said.

Dickey is hoping people come to donate blood but also to learn about bone marrow donation and umbilical cord transplants. Donations of bone marrow or cord blood units are out-patient procedures, and they are less painful than most people assume.

Last year her goal of blood donors was 65, and they had 69 show up. This year Dickey’s goal is to get 85 people to donate blood. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form where state permits, must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.