As World Blood Donor Day approaches, Sioux Falls blood bank needs more donations

World Blood Donor Day logo.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Besides being Flag Day, Monday is also World Blood Donor Day.

The Sioux Falls Community Blood Bank asks that in honor of the day–and because of the extreme need for blood in the area–that you consider giving blood.

Blood Bank board member Dawn VerHoeven says the blood current usage in the area is the highest it’s been in the 45-year history of the blood bank.

Below is a news release from the Sioux Falls Community Blood Bank with a link to sign up to donate blood.

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According to the World Health Organization, “World Blood Donor Day takes place on 14 June each year. The aim is to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and of the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems. The day also provides an opportunity to call to action to governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary blood donors.”

Blood is needed each day in the United States to sustain the lives of patients in need. Whether used for surgery, traumas, during cancer treatment or other life threatening medical conditions, blood is used to provide hope. There are many blood suppliers throughout the country, some are very large blood providers, some a little smaller and others are hospital operated. Community Blood Bank is hospital operated with a joint shared resource of Avera and Sanford Health Systems, meaning when you donate on the bloodmobile the donation will go directly back to all Sioux Falls and local area hospitals, to save community lives.

“We are experiencing some of the highest volumes of blood usage that have been seen in the 45 year history of Community Blood Bank. A combination of COVID policies and lower collections due to the summer has placed us near critical levels for all blood types,” states Dawn VerHoeven, Community Blood Bank Board of Directors. “There are many weeks where our usage is outpacing collection by 40%. Our hope is to keep summer collections strong and securing blood supplies for long term success in order to avoid additional summer blood shortages. Join us to save lives during International Blood Donor Day, Monday, June 14, at either the Avera McKennan Donor Room (Avera McKennan, Plaza 2, floor 4, between the hours of 8:00 and 6:00 pm) or Sanford Donor Room (Sanford USD Medical Center, Locken Lobby between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:00 pm to show your support for those who serve and impact the community in many ways. All those donating blood will receive a pair of movie tickets.”

Donors can log onto cbblifeblood.org, select “Register to Donate” and schedule an appointment for World Donor Day. Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 lbs. or more and be in good general health the day of the donation. Please bring an I.D. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating.

For more information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or call us at 1-877-877-3070. Community Blood Bank is not associated with any other blood bank organizations.

Additional blood drive opportunities throughout the community are as follows:

Monday, June 14

Adrian, EMS Hall, Adrian MN from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.