Dells Rapids, SD – Avera Dells Area Health Center and Community Blood Bank is joining forces to help ward off fall blood shortages by hosting the blood drive event. The blood drive will be held on Thursday, October 4th from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm at Avera Dells Area Health Center. All blood donations will stay local for local use and all who donate will receive a special t-shirt.
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 fall can be a difficult to maintain an adequate blood supply for the community,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “With people addressing elective surgeries before the end of the year and a consistent need for blood for many types of medical treatment, data shows a steady increase in usage as we go through the fall 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 or call Community Blood Bank at 1-877-877-3070 or call Avera Dells Area Health Center at 605-428-5431
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.