Call for blood donors as local supplies face challenges this summer
Community Blood Bank and Ace Hardware of Brandon has come together to support the local blood supply this summer. One of the basic and essential needs for community hospitals to treat many critically ill patients is blood. Blood is only obtained through volunteers in the community coming forward with thoughts of saving lives. The summer season keep volunteers from giving blood with issues associated with COVID, summer travel, and other activities residents forget to provide the gift of blood in the season. Demand for blood is nearing a four-year high in the local area providing stronger call for Brandon community members to come out and donate blood.
Donations of blood in Brandon are scheduled from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 at Brandon Ace Hardware, 304 S. Splitrock Blvd.). To schedule an appointment, visit www.cbblifeblood.org, select “events” and July 13, Ace Hardware, Brandon or call (605) 331-3222.
“Community Blood Bank is tirelessly working to meet the needs for our hospitals to ensure blood is available in the treatment of cancer patients, traumas, surgeries and many other health issues,” states Kenneth Versteeg, executive director of the Community Blood Bank. “We foresee difficulties in maintaining a solid blood supply for our community in the next three months, as we battle critical blood shortages locally. There is really no outside assistance available from other blood banks as we are all experiencing the same tragic shortages. If community members are serious about offering help during the pandemic, consider giving someone life by scheduling a time to give blood to Community Blood Bank, your only local blood provider.”
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. 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 fluids prior to donating blood.
