By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The American Red Cross is midway through a 3-day long blood drive being held at St. Olaf College, and there are still many open lots to register. The event takes place today and tomorrow from 1pm to 7pm in the Buntrock Commons.
In a statement, the Red Cross noted the significant need for help to “combat the significant impact wildfires, weather, and an extremely active cold and flu season have had on blood donations this winter. These impacts have resulted in roughly 20,000 uncollected donations since the beginning of the year, which directly threatens patient care across the country.”
Dave Schoeneck with the Red Cross noted that in areas impacted around the country, there is less ability to donate blood:
“The last thing they are thinking about is giving blood. But one of the ways that we can help in areas that aren’t impacted by the hurricanes is to increase our blood donations up here in the Midwest.” – Dave Schoeneck with the American Red Cross, Audio courtesy of the Minnesota News Network
Dr. Claudia Cohn with the Red Cross and University of Minnesota noted that the winter can lead to a decrease of blood donations in Minnesota:
“Donors, like everyone else, they don’t wanna go outside as much in the winter. We do tie a lot of our blood drives to schools and businesses, and so schools, they might be closed during the holidays so we’re going to have fewer blood drives then. And businesses ever since COVID fewer and fewer people show up.” – Dr. Claudia Cohn with the Red Cross and University of Minnesota, Audio courtesy of the Minnesota News Network
To give blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health and feeling well.
Learn more about giving blood if its your first time
The whole process of completing the paperwork, donating the blood, and recovery takes about 1 hour to complete.
The Red Cross needs 13,000 blood donations daily and is the largest provider of blood products and services 26-hundred hospitals across the country.
You can register here or you can go to redcrossblood.org for all the blood drives in the area. By participating, each donor will receive a $15 gift card from the merchant of their choice.
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