Dell Rapids, SD- Avera Dells Area Health Center and Community Blood Bank are joining forces to help ward off winter blood shortages by hosting a blood drive event. The blood drive will be held on Thursday, January 10 from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Avera Dells Area Health Center in Dell Rapids, SD. All blood donations will stay local for local use.
Every three seconds someone needs blood, and the only way to ensure that those needs are met is to rely on volunteer donors to donate blood. The need for local blood donors is immense. The Community Blood Bank supplies over 550 units of blood each week to people in the region. Among those who benefit from donated blood are trauma and burn victims, cancer patients and persons undergoing surgery.
“The winter months can be a difficult time to maintain an adequate blood supply for the community,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “With the cold and flu season upon us, less people are eligible to give blood. This fact coupled with an increase in travel accidents creates a high need for blood products, data shows a steady increase in usage as we go through the winter season.”
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form), weigh 110 lbs or more and be in good general health. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating blood. Please bring an ID with you at the time of donation. For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org, call Community Blood Bank at 1-877-877-3070 or call Avera Dells Area Health Center at 605-428-2421.
Community Blood Bank is not affiliated with other blood bank organizations and takes pride in being a self-sufficient organization, thanks to the generosity of our local blood donors.