The Gardendale Walgreens store will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday.

Donors will be entered into a drawing for either a $25 or $1,000 gift card, and all donors will receive their choice of a T-shirt or a voucher for waived green fees at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital is under an “appeal” for blood, meaning that its blood supply is below a minimum amount that they think is safe to keep on hand. The blood collected at the drive will go to UAB as well as other county hospitals.

“We’ve done blood drives in the past, but never one this size,” said Mary Hyke, store manager of the Gardendale Walgreens. “There’s going to be a big bus in the parking lot. You can’t miss it.”

Hyke said donors can make an appointment to give blood at www.redcrossblood.org.

“It’s so you don’t have to wait in line at the bus,” she said. “If you make an appointment, it’ll take no time at all.”

Hyke said Red Cross recommends having something sweet after giving blood to help re-balance blood sugar. Walgreens will have cookies and other refreshments, and Pepsi is donating soft drinks.

“Everybody’s pitching in,” said Hyke.

Walgreens is also partnering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to offer free seasonal flu shots for people who have muscular dystrophy and related diseases. This year’s flu vaccine protects against seasonal flu as well as H1N1, according to a press release by Walgreens.

“We’re really proud to be able to offer this service,” said Hyke. “The flu vaccine offers the best protection from the flu, and is recommended for somebody with a disease, like muscular dystrophy, that puts them at high risk.”

Vouchers for the flu shots can be found at www.mda.org, and redeemed at any Walgreens store.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Walgreens. Both adults and children with these diseases may already have weakened respiratory systems, making them particularly vulnerable to complications of the flu, so it’s vital for MDA to provide flu shots,” said MDA Executive Vice President and Research and Medical Director Dr. Valerie Cwik. “Through our partnership with Walgreens, we’re providing convenient access to immunizations, which are the best protection against the flu virus.”

Hyke said anyone can get a flu shot in the store without an appointment, for a fee.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research.