Sanford Sheldon to Host Community Blood Drive January 17

Sanford Sheldon and Community Blood Bank will hold a community blood drive on Tuesday, January 17 between 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Sanford Sheldon (118 N. 7th Ave.) The need is high and residents are asked to consider donating blood to support the local blood supply. Donors can schedule their donation by logging onto cbblifeblood.org, selecting “events”, January 17, and Sanford Sheldon, or call 605-331-3222.

“We have experienced many cancellations due to poor weather conditions placing the blood supply into a severe shortage. The only way we can improve this shortages is through the support of local volunteers coming forward to roll-up their sleeves,” says Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “The cancelled blood drive events amounted to nearly 1,000 blood donations, hampering our ability to keep a stable blood supply for local patients. Community Blood Bank supplies over 550 units of blood each week to people in northwestern Iowa, southwestern Minnesota, and southeastern South Dakota. Giving blood is a short process that will change a patient’s outlook quickly. Join in to support the local blood supply on January 17th.”

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. For additional information call Community Blood Bank at (605) 331-3222. Community Blood Banks is a nonprofit, cooperative of Sanford Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations and is the sole blood provider to all local area hospitals, including Sanford Sheldon.