Dell Rapids, SD- Avera Dells Area Health and Community Blood Bank will partner up to save lives at a special summer community blood drive event held on Thursday, July 11 from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at Avera Dells Area Health. The public will have an opportunity to donate blood to help local patients in the hospital during the month of July. All blood donations will directly impact patients’ lives in Dell Rapids. All who donate will receive an All American blood donor t-shirt.
“This summer has been one of the most difficult to keep up with the demand for blood in recent years,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “There have been many weeks where our usage is outpacing collection by 35%. Our hope is to start the summer months strong with an ample blood supply and keep this momentum moving to avoid any summer blood shortages. Join us to save lives within the community and show your support for those who serve and impact the community in many ways.”
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. Donating blood is a simple way to save patients’ lives in the community. Without volunteer blood donors donating blood throughout the summer, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain an adequate supply of blood for our community hospitals.
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 lbs. or more and be in good general health the day of the donation. Please bring an I.D. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations.
For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or call Avera Dells Area Health Center at 428-2421. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations.