Avera Medical Group Larchwood and Community Blood Bank will be hosting a community blood drive on Tuesday, January 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public will have an opportunity to donate blood to impact patients’ lives in the area.

Blood is needed each day in the United States to sustain the lives of patients in need. Whether used for surgery, traumas, during cancer treatment or other life threatening medical conditions, blood is used to provide hope.  There are many blood suppliers throughout the country, some are very large blood providers, some a little smaller and others are hospital operated.  Community Blood Bank is hospital operated with a joint shared resource of Avera and Sanford Health Systems, meaning when you donate on the bloodmobile the donation will go directly back to our local hospitals to save local lives.

“The importance of residents donating blood to the local supplies intensifies as we enter the cold and flu season,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank.  “With less people able to donate blood, supplies to treat local patients, decreases significantly as demand stays strong.  Begin the new year by providing hope to local patients by joining us to donate blood.   Community Blood Bank relies solely on volunteer blood donors throughout the area to provide blood for local patients.  We are looking for a great turnout for this community event to keep the blood supply strong.”

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 Medical Group Larchwood at 712-477-2185. Walk-ins are always welcome.