Local blood drives slated this week
Both the BloodCenter of Wisconsin and the American Red Cross are holding blood drives in Whitewater this week, a stark reminder that the winter months hit the blood banks hard and supplies are running low.
The BloodCenter of Wisconsin would like to remind area residents that by donating blood, they can be local heroes and save the day for patients in need.
A blood drive is slated Wednesday, Jan. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. at Husco International-Back Parking Lot, 1116 Universal Blvd. in Whitewater.
Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-BE-A-HERO (1-877-232-4376), or by visiting m.bcw.edu on their mobile device. Appointments are preferred to ensure a quick and convenient donation, but walk-in donors are welcome.
Anyone 16 or older who is in general good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to donate blood. Parental consent is required for 16-year-olds to donate. The entire process takes about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes birth date.
Whitewater Community Blood Drive
Donating blood can mean the difference between life and death for many patients now in need.
The UW-Whitewater Circle K club – the college level of Kiwanis – is proud to be co-sponsoring the Jan. 24 blood drive. Due to the low levels of blood donated in the past, there is an increased need for blood.
For more than 900 people, daily, in the Mid-American Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, the need for human blood never takes a holiday.
Someone being turned away because there is not enough of their blood type is not acceptable and is preventable. Supplies are very low right now and the UW-W Circle K club encourages local members of the community to do its part and make sure the supply can meet demand even in a crisis.
January is National Blood Donor Month and the Red Cross encourages community members to start a new family tradition this winter and give the gift of life.
The Whitewater Communtiy Blood Drive is slated noon to 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24 in the Community Room at the Whitewater Armory, 146 W. North St.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of ID are required at check-in. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. Donors must be at least 17-years-old and weigh 110 pounds or more. It isn’t necessary for donors to know their blood type to donate.
The Red Cross collects nearly half of the nation’s blood supply. The Badger-Hawkeye Red Cross Blood Services Region serves hospitals in parts of four states and needs nearly 4,500 volunteer blood donors a week to serve patient needs. The Region has been collecting blood from generous volunteer donors in parts of Eastern Iowa, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and Northern Illinois since June 1950.
Since 2009, the City of Whitewater has had three blood drives per year, collecting 882 units of blood, affecting 2,646 patients.
