Sibley, Iowa — Your next chance to help bolster the blood supply is coming up next week in Sibley.
Osceola Regional Health Center and Community Blood Bank will host a community blood drive on Wednesday, March 30 at Osceola Regional Health Center between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The public will have an opportunity to donate blood to help local patients in the community. Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 712-754-5358.
Community Blood Bank Executive Director Ken Ver Steeg says, “As we see the number of people diagnosed with COVID decline, Community Blood Bank is hopeful the more people will be eligible to give blood and assist in strengthening the local blood supply. There is a very large demand for blood to treat patients. We are seeing more people seeking medical care as the pandemic threat lifts. There is a higher concentration of people needing surgeries and treat serious medical conditions that require blood transfusions.”
Stephanie Krogman with the lab at Osceola Regional Health Center tells us the bloodmobile makes regular stops in Sibley.
She says you need to make an appointment to donate blood.
But Krogman says if, on the day of the blood drive, you find that you have some extra time, just call ahead, and they’ll see if there’s a spot for you.
She tells us giving blood is completely safe.
Blood bank officials say 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.
They also ask you to bring an I.D., your list of medications, and a list of places you’ve recently traveled when you come to donate and recommend that you eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating. For more information visit www.cbblifeblood.org or call Community Blood Bank at (605) 331-3222. But the number to make an appointment at the Sibley blood drive is different — it is the number of the hospital’s lab — 712-754-5358.
