Baltic, SD – Baltic High School will host a community blood drive on Friday, September 24 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to help improve the overall blood supply for the local area. Donors can call 605-529-5461 to schedule a donation, information at www.cbblifeblood.org or call 1-877-877-3070.
“As we are seeing a surge in COVID cases around the nation, locally blood donations have decreased. This downward sloop in blood collection has placed a heavy strain on the local blood supply,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “The need for blood is at an all – time high with more people seeking to completed their elective surgeries that have been stalled due to the pandemic. We need blood to treat all types of medical issues, including cancer patients, traumas, and premature infants. At this point we are using anywhere from 15 – 30% more blood per week than before the pandemic began. Donors are the only way to keep our supplies strong. It is our hope that we will see community volunteers come forward to provide support at this blood drive event. We are grateful for the Baltic community and the support provided.”
Community Blood Bank was founded by Sanford Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital in 1976 to be the sole blood provider to local area hospitals. Community Blood Bank is the sole blood provider to all Sioux Falls / Dell Rapids Hospitals. When you give blood on the bloodmobile you will directly save local lives in your community.
Donor must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org) weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health. Donors exhibiting cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate. A valid identification is required at the time of registration. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating blood. With policies associated in addressing COVID-19, donor appointments are preferred, walk-ins will be accepted in open schedule times. For information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or call 1-877-877-3070.