Osceola Community Hospital and Community Blood Bank will partner up to save lives at an All American community blood drive event held on Wednesday, September 18 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm at Osceola Community Hospital.  The public will have an opportunity to donate blood to help local patients in the hospital during the month of September.  All blood donations will go directly to saving patients’ lives in the Sibley area.

“The need for blood throughout the area is very consistent, with 540 units of blood being used in the area last week,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank.  “This blood drive event helps bring awareness to the community about the need for blood as we approach the change in seasons.  The hope is to bring about an increase in local blood supplies in order for us to be able to treat trauma, surgery and cancer patients throughout the fall and avoid a shortage in our community.  We encourage residents to please consider donating blood when we are at Osceola Community Hospital on September 18.  All those donating will receive an event t-shirt and a free meal.”

 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.  You can safely donate blood every 56 days.

For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations.