World Blood Donor Day, June 14, 2020
What can you do? Give blood. Give now. Give often
According to the World Health Organization, “Every year, on June 14, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.”
Blood is needed each day in the United States to sustain the lives of patients in need. Whether used for surgery, traumas, during cancer treatment or other life threatening medical conditions, blood is used to provide hope. There are many blood suppliers throughout the country, some are very large blood providers, some a little smaller and others are hospital operated. Community Blood Bank is hospital operated with a joint shared resource of Avera and Sanford Health Systems, meaning when you donate on the bloodmobile the donation will go directly back to all Sioux Falls hospitals to save local lives.
According to the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the blood community applauds those individuals who have selflessly responded to the call for blood donations during this time. Since blood has a limited shelf life, the need for blood donors always exists. The need for blood donations from individual volunteers will remain throughout the pandemic to continually replenish the blood supply and ensure availability for patients in need. The U.S. blood supply faces an unprecedented situation with a multitude of blood drives canceled as organizations and businesses temporarily close.”
“The summer is extremely important to continue to keep blood supplies at strong levels for the community,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “We are experiencing a critical need for blood donations in our local communities, as we move through June. We look to create awareness for blood donations during World Blood Donor Day and build a solid foundation for our community blood supplies, as we face situations associated with the COVID-19 crisis. We request the community’s support and encourage residents to give blood that will directly save lives in the Windom area.
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 us at 1-877-877-3070. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations.
By Ken Versteeg, Executive Director of Community Blood Bank
The Community Blood Bank was at Windom Area Health on June 8th, 2020 and we are thrilled to announce that we had 36 life-saving donations that will help 108 patients and their families. The next Community Blood Drive will be on September 14th, 2020 – Click Here to Learn More!