New Rockford's blood drive brings in 40 volunteers

A total of 40 individuals volunteered to donate blood at the United Blood Services drive held on May 23 at the First Lutheran Church in New Rockford. Of these 40 volunteers, 32 individuals were able to donate. Seven donors also came forward for a Power Red Cells (2RBC) donation, which collects two units of red blood cells while returning platelets, plasma and a saline solution back to the donor. There were three people who volunteered for the first time.

United Blood Services expresses gratitude to First Lutheran Church, which provided the space for the drive, as well as to those who assisted during the day of the drive. In total 39 units of blood were collected.

The United Blood Services strives to keep a five-day supply of every blood type on the shelf at all times in order to be able to meet the needs of patients across the region. Donations from donors with O-negative or the universal blood type are especially important this time of year due to increased accidents and trauma cases.

United Blood Services is the only blood provider to nearly 70 hospitals across the region. About 30 percent of the supply goes to cancer patients across the region and to one in seven people entering the hospital who will need blood.

Donors can make an appointment to give blood at http://www.bloodhero.com or by calling (877) 827-4376.