Windom, MN – The Community Blood Bank Board of Directors, at Avera and Sanford, have declared a critical shortage of blood for the local service area, including Windom, MN. Due to increasing demands on the need for blood and the decreases in collections associated with issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Blood Bank has moved into a critical shortage status. Currently, local blood supplies are seriously low with an overall decrease in supplies between 40 – 50%. Please consider donating blood on Monday, September 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the annual Heroes Behind the Badges blood drive event.
“Simply put, we need donors to make an impact in the local blood supply for local patients,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “We are experiencing our lowest blood supply levels in over 20 years. The need for blood is increasing as we see many elective procedures being scheduled throughout the area. Support your local blood supply by joining us and schedule a blood donation appointment online by Clicking Here. Donating blood is a safe and essential action that can be done during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community Blood Bank follows strict guidelines provided by the FDA, CDC and the Association of Blood Banks to provide a safe, socially distanced and clean environment for donors.” Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health. Donors exhibiting cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate. A valid identification is required at the time of registration. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating blood. With policies associated in addressing COVID-19, only donors with appointments will be accepted. To schedule an appointment, donors may log onto www.cbblifeblood.org and select “events” and click on September 14 then Windom Heroes or simply Click Here. For donation questions please call 507-831-0655 or log onto www.cbblifeblood.org.
To learn more about the Heroes Behind the Badges blood drive event, Click Here.