Dell Rapids, SD- Avera Dells Area Health Center and Community Blood Bank will host a community blood drive on Thursday, July 6 from 7:00am to 11:00am and 12:30pm to 2:30pm at Avera Dells Area Health Center.

“The first few weeks of summer have been difficult keeping up with demands. We have been on the edge of a critical needs appeal and are in need of all blood types to keep up the supply,” states Rita Nelson, Donor Consultant, Community Blood Bank. “As more people travel on the road and water ways throughout the summer, unexpected situations that require blood transfusions occur more frequently. Maintaining healthy blood supply levels ensures quick response to those needs within the community and allows for seasonal upswings in blood usage.”

The only way Community Blood Bank can meet the needs of the hospitals it serves is through volunteer blood donors donating blood at blood drives. Community Blood Bank uses 550 unit of blood per week to service 34 local hospitals including Avera Dells Area Health Center, Sanford Medical Center, Avera McKennan Hospital, VA Medical Center and Avera Heart Hospital.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with a signed parent consent form), weigh 110 lbs or more and be in good general health. Please bring an ID with you. It is recommended that donors eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating blood.

The donation process only takes 25 – 30 minutes on the bloodmobile. For appointments or more information call 428-5431 or log onto www.cbblifeblood.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

Colton, SD:  Tri-Valley High School will host a community blood drive on Wednesday, May 3 from 7:30am to 11:10am and 12:40pm to 3:00pm. All blood donations will directly benefit the local blood supply.

“Donating blood on the bloodmobile is an easy way to save the lives of patients in the community” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “The need for blood has been extremely high in the last weeks. We encourage community members that are well and healthy to consider donating blood during this difficult time to keep supplies at healthy levels.”

Donors 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 the day of the donation. Please bring an ID with you. It is recommended that you eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating blood. It only takes 30 to 35 minutes to donate with Community Blood Bank.

Community Blood Bank is the sole provider of blood and blood products to 34 local area hospitals, including Avera Dells Area Health and all Sioux Falls hospitals. For more information call or to schedule an appointment call 446-3538. Walk-ins are always welcome.

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.