Blood Drive Coming Up At Mahaska
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (submitted photo)
by Carissa Osborn
Sponsored blood drives are an excellent way for businesses to be involved in and give back to the community. Mahaska, as well as several other area organizations and businesses, is doing just that. On May 4th from 2:00-6:00, The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is bringing their mobile donor bus to Mahaska to provide the opportunity for employees and community members to donate blood. MVRBC has the option of doing a mobile blood drive on site, depending on the space available in the business, or using their donor bus which comes equipped with everything they need. Mahaska has reached out to other businesses nearby, such as Clow and Ben & Stephens, to make them aware of the blood drive so their employees can participate if they wish also.
Julie Montgomery, HR Manager for Mahaska, says they are “always looking for ways to get the company and employees more involved in community events. Blood drives are a well -known event that reach a lot of people’s lives in a very positive way. Mahaska employees and leaders do an outstanding job of being involved in the community and being part of events, this drive is just another way to display that effort.”
Donating blood typically takes about 45 minutes from registration to the refreshment table, but has long standing benefits for recipients. Blood transfusions are used in a variety of situations including for chronic illnesses, surgery, and accidents. Type O and Rh Negative blood types are in high demand, especially at this time. Diana Allman, Donor Relations Consultant for MVRBC, says anyone donating will “have touched the lives of not one, but up to three patients in need. 3 products are drawn from one single unit; red cells, plasma, and platelets. All three used for various illnesses/accidents.” Donors can donate once every 56 days, so anyone participating in the blood drive at Mahaska will be eligible to donate again on June 29th.
You can visit www.bloodcenter.org to find all upcoming blood drives.
