New Rockford blood drive brings in 32 volunteers

The New Rockford community hosted a blood drive with Vitalant on March 21 at First Lutheran Church, which helped collect a total of 32 units of blood products for patients in need.

A total of 32 individuals volunteered to donate blood and 27 individuals were able to successfully donate at the Vitalant blood drive on March 21. A total of five donors also 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. There were two people who volunteered for the first time!

Vitalant expressed their gratitude to Amy Cudworth, who coordinated the drive, the National Honor Society which sponsored the blood drive, and First Lutheran Church which provided the location.

The need for blood never ceases. Blood is only usable for 42 days, so a constant supply is always needed, no matter the season. Winter has challenges with the threat of weather/travel and planning, but the winter weather is no wonderland for hospital patients who depend on blood to keep them healthy and alive.

Donors can make a convenient appointment to give blood at http://www.donors.vitalant.org or by calling 877-25-VITAL. With each donation, donors receive a free total cholesterol test and earn reward points. The next blood drive is planned to be held on Thursday, May 25 from 1:45 - 6:00 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church.

Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments, while the blood draw typically takes less than 10 minutes. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Health History Questionnaire the day they donate on http://www.vitalant.org/health