Holiday blood drive nets 67 units

First Lutheran Church hosted a blood drive with Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, on Nov. 29 in New Rockford which helped collect a total of 67 units of blood for patients in need.

A total of 62 individuals volunteered to donate blood and 57 individuals were able to donate. A total of 10 donors also came forward to donate Power Red Cells (2RBC) which collects two units of red blood cells while returning platelets, plasma and a saline solution back to the donor. There were five people who volunteered for the first time.

Vitalant expressed their gratitude to Gail Weisenburger, who coordinated the drive, and First Lutheran Church, which sponsored the blood drive, as well as others who assisted the day of the drive: Bev Bjornson, Eunice Throlson, Val Weisenburger and Brady Eichelberger.

Vitalant strives to keep a five day supply of every blood type on the shelf at all times to be able to meet the needs of patients across the region. Donations from O-negative donors, the universal blood type, are especially important.

Vitalant is the only blood provider to nearly 70 hospitals across the region. The blood supply is dependent on selfless donations from volunteer donors to ensure the lifesaving needs of the region are met.

About 30 percent of Vitalant's blood supply goes to cancer patients across the region, and one in seven people entering the hospital will need blood. Those relying on blood in the region receive that life saving blood from Vitalant.

Donors can make a convenient appointment to give blood at http://www.bloodhero.com or by calling (877) 25- VITAL.