Sheldon, Iowa – The All-American Blood Drive will be held this Monday, June 22nd in Sheldon. KIWA is teaming up with Community Blood Bank from 10:00 am – 1:30 pm and from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.
Community Blood Bank Executive Director Ken Versteeg tells us a little about it.
As above, “The All-American Blood Drive is an annual event that we’ve been doing for 13 years now in the community. The need for blood during the summer and during the COVID pandemic is definitely a critical time for us. Total number of units collected through the 13 years that we’ve been doing the All-American Blood Drive is 1,104 donations, which is huge for an impact in the community’s blood supply at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center.”
While this event is one of the most important blood drives each year for the Community Blood Bank and Sanford Sheldon, participation this year is critical.
As above, “I cannot stress the importance of people coming out and donating blood enough. COVID has actually reduced our overall collection by 50%. Part of that is due to the fact that we are not able to take as many blood donors during the COVID crisis because we want to social distance. We want to disinfect in between each blood donor. We have to follow certain procedures, and in order for us to do that we can only take so many donors an hour.”
Versteeg says that while people may be uncertain about exposure if giving blood, they do have precautions in place. In addition to sanitizing and cleaning precautions, masks are worn by all blood bank employees and will be offered to individuals if they do not have one when they arrive.
As above, “Right now, with our inventory level, we want ALL blood types. We’re at half the stock levels that we should have for A+ right now, which does not give us a lot of leeway in the amount of blood we have available for accidents and traumas and things like that.”
Sanford Sheldon uses between 500 and 700 units of blood each year, so while collecting over 1,100 units since the start of the All-American Blood Drive in Sheldon is impressive, donations are still urgently needed.
As above, “We are owned by Sanford and Avera, and everything that’s donated with Community Blood Bank stays here for local use. I know that there’s a lot of misconceptions on other blood banks in the community coming in. That does not stay locally. A lot of the other blood banks’ entities that come in, the blood is shipped to east and west coast facilities. This blood actually stays right directly in your community at Sanford Sheldon.”
While citizens are urged to make an appointment to donate blood, measure are also being taken to accommodate last-minute donations as well. To schedule an appointment, simply click on the direct link below, or call KIWA at 712-324-2597 any time from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Direct Sign Up Link
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/sheldonallamericanblooddrive
