McGraw is fronting the "Neighbors Give Life" blood drive scheduled to begin Thursday and run through Sept. 5. The drive is sponsored by the American Red Cross and State Farm Insurance Co. "I'm just a big fan of the organization," McGraw said of the Red Cross in a telephone interview. "They're always on the front line of any disaster." Red Cross officials said there is less than half of the seven-to 10-day blood supply needed in the event of a national disaster. Only 5 percent of Americans who are eligible to give blood now donate, organization officials said. McGraw said he will spread the word that people can give blood up to six times a year, not just once. "It's just a simple thing, and you help more than you realize," he said. As part of the effort to raise awareness about the need for blood donations, the sponsors are offering sweepstakes prizes including a free trip to a McGraw concert and autographed copies of McGraw's chart-topping "Live Like You Were Dying" CD. Potential winners need not be blood donors.

This is a photo supplied by Neighbors Give Life of Grammy-winning music artist Tim McGraw, right, and American Red Cross nurse Jessica Rezende demonstrating, Thursday, March 31, 2005, in Los Angeles.

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