Tomah Health and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin officials are asking area residents to consider giving the gift of life by donating blood during a two-day blood drive Dec. 13 or 14 at Tomah Recreation Park.
Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin account representative Emalea Cogdill said blood donations are not always at the top of the list heading into the holiday season. “As families plan for their winter festivities, schools go on holiday break, and employees take well-deserved time off, blood donation is not always top of mind, unfortunately, the need for blood doesn’t take a holiday,” said Cogdill. “We continue to see the blood supply dip to dangerously low levels, and we know that winter will be a vital time for local patients in need.”
Versiti Blood Center is the sole blood supplier to over 50 hospital systems in Wisconsin including Tomah Health, the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center and numerous other hospitals in the Coulee Region.
Cogdill said more than 50% of Versiti’s blood supply comes from community drives.
To help meet the need, Tomah Health and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin are holding a two-day blood drive Dec. 13 & 14 from noon – 5 p.m. at Tomah’s Recreation Park, 1625 Butts Ave., Tomah.
To donate blood, a person must be in good health, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and have photo identification. Sixteen-year-olds may also donate with parental consent. While the process for whole blood donation usually takes about one hour, the blood collection itself is usually about 10 minutes.
Officials say about 20 percent of blood donors are first-time donors; unfortunately, more than 50 percent of those donors only donate once. “Without lifesaving blood readily available, communities throughout the state could face a potential crisis as hospitals may not have the blood needed to treat patients,” added Cogdill. “During this season of giving, remember that the greatest gifts are free and blood donation is how you can give back to your community.”
To register for the Dec. 13, drive CLICK HERE
To register for the Dec. 14 drive, CLICK HERE