Rock Rapids, Iowa — The Community Blood Bank bloodmobile is headed for Rock Rapids this Thursday, and they could use your donation.
We talked to Community Blood Bank Executive Director Ken Ver Steeg. He tells us they’ll be at Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital for their annual All American blood drive event on Thursday, July 7 between 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
But he says they hope you don’t forget, as donating is important. He says that supply-wise, going into the July Fourth holiday weekend, they had a good blood supply. But supplies have declined since then.
That number again is 605-331-3222.
Ver Steeg tells us that there are very few medications that — if you’re on them — they’d prevent you from donating. But there are a few. He says the best plan is just to take your list of medications with you and the bloodmobile staff can help you determine your eligibility.
Community Blood Bank supplies over 550 units of blood each week to people in northwestern Iowa, southeastern South Dakota, and southwestern Minnesota. They say that giving blood is a short process that will change a patient’s outlook quickly. A person can donate blood every 56 days.
Other stipulations include: 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 on the day of the donation. They ask that you come with an I.D. They also recommend that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating. Ver Steeg says that is especially important in the summer when people are at higher risk of dehydration.
For additional information call Community Blood Bank at (605) 331-3222.
