Windom, MN – The annual “Windom Heroes behind the Badges Blood Drive” will be held on Monday, September 22 between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m at Windom Area Health. Donors will have a chance to show their support for their community heroes, give blood to support local patients, and sure up the blood supply to complete the summer. Donors can schedule their donation by logging onto www.cbblifeblood.org, selecting “events”, and September 22 or call 605-331-3222. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are preferred. All who donate receive a $20 Scooters gift card and an All American blood donor t-shirt as thank you gifts.
The Heroes Behind the Badges is a friendly competition between the Windom Law Enforcement, Fire Department, and EMS to recruit blood donors for community patients. The winning department receives bragging rights for the year and the traveling trophy. Over the course of 17 years, the Windom Heroes event as provided nearly 900 blood donation, providing hope up to 2,700 local area patients.
“Keeping up with the demand for blood is a process that never ends. Each day we see traumas, prepare for scheduled surgeries, treat cancer patients, and strength the blood supply for the unexpected,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “Having donors come out to blood drive events is the most important aspect for our organization. Without volunteers coming forward to donate, we cannot secure a strong blood supply to keep up with demands. In 30 minutes a person will provide life to 3 patients. Consider taking 30 minutes to provide hope on September 22 at Windom Area Health.”
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. Please bring an I.D. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating. For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or call Community Blood Bank at (605) 331-3222. Community Blood Banks is a nonprofit, cooperative of Sanford Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations and is the sole blood provider to Windom Area Health. A person can donate blood every 56 days.