Donors gave 45 units of blood at May 28 drive

New Rockford community hosted a blood drive with Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, on May 28 at St. John’s Catholic Church which helped collect a total of 45 units of blood products for patients in need.

A total of 47 individuals volunteered to donate blood and 41 individuals were able to donate at the Vitalant blood drive on May 28. A total of four donors came forward to donate Power Red Cells (2RBC) which collects two units of red blood cells while returning platelets, plasma and a saline solution back to the donor.

Vitalant expressed their gratitude to Sharon Lesmeister, who coordinated the drive, and St. John’s Catholic Church which sponsored the blood drive, as well as others who assisted with the drive: Sandi Lies, Eunice Throlson, Father Reese Weber and Sharon Eversvick.

Vitalant strives to keep a 5-day supply of every blood type on the shelf at all times to be able to meet the needs of patients across the region. Donations from O-negative donors, the universal blood type, are especially important.

Vitalant is the only blood provider to the 70 hospitals across the region. The blood supply is dependent on selfless donations from volunteer donors.

About 30% of Vitalant’s blood supply goes to cancer patients across the region and one in seven people entering the hospital will need blood.

Donors can make a convenient appointment to give blood at http://www.bloodhero.com or by calling 877-25-VITAL. The next blood drive at this location is planned to be held on July 27, 2020.

Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Health History Questionnaire the day they donate on http://www.vitalant.org