(Community Blood Bank Bloodmobile - KIWA Staff Stock Photo)Sheldon & Rock Valley, Iowa — Area residents will have two opportunities to help bolster the local blood supply ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend through upcoming community blood drives hosted by Community Blood Bank.
Sanford Sheldon Medical Center will host a high-needs blood drive on Tuesday, November 17, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. A second drive will take place in Rock Valley on Friday, November 20, at Hegg Health Center from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Organizers stress that volunteer donors are essential to supporting critical care across the region. Blood cannot be manufactured, and local hospitals rely on immediate availability for trauma, emergency care, and treatment of critically ill patients.
Ken Versteeg, Executive Director of Community Blood Bank, says that every unit donated here stays here. He says when the community steps up, patients receive seamless care when they need it most.
Versteeg says the entire donation process takes about 30 minutes from check-in to snacks, with the actual blood draw lasting only a few minutes. Each individual donation has the potential to assist multiple patients.
He tells us there are a few requirements to keep in mind.
Sixteen-year-old donors require signed parental consent.
As a token of appreciation, all donors at both events will receive a $15 Pizza Ranch gift card.
Appointments can be scheduled online by visiting www.cbblifeblood.org, clicking “Donate Today” and selecting the “Bloodmobile Calendar,” or by calling 605-331-3222.
Community Blood Bank is jointly owned by Sanford Health and Avera Health and serves as the sole blood provider for 43 local area hospitals, including Sanford Sheldon Medical Center and Hegg Health Center – Avera.
