The blood drive event kick – off on
Monday, December 28 and run through Friday, January 8. The public is encouraged to designate their blood donation in honor of the department of their choice. All who donate will receive a t-shirt designed by the department of their choice, a certificate for a free Texas Roadhouse appetizer and a certificate for a free breakfast burrito from Taco John’s (while supplies last).
“Currently, Community Blood Bank is teetering on the brink where supply and demand is almost the same; we are maintaining about a two days’ blood supply for the community. Community Blood Bank is tirelessly working to meet the needs of our hospitals, including Avera McKennan, Sanford Medical Center, Sanford Children’s, Avera Heart Hospital, Sioux Falls V.A. Medical Center, Sanford Heart Hospital, Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital and 30 other local hospitals, to ensure blood is available in the treatment of cancer patients, traumas, surgeries and to treat COVID patients with convalescent plasma,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “We foresee difficulties in maintaining a sold blood supply for our community in the next 3 to 6 months, as we battle critical blood shortages locally. There is no outside assistance available from other blood banks, as we are all experiencing the same tragic shortages. If community members are looking for a way to offering support during the pandemic, consider giving someone life by scheduling a time to give blood with Community Blood Bank, the only local blood provider and support your local Heroes in the process.”