Blood in special demand during summer months

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Thursday, May 6, from 12 - 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once a month in Waukon, to allow for more donors to give. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

Blood centers across the United States see a decrease in blood donations during the busy summer months. During the summer, people become more active, have busier schedules, spend more time outdoors and take vacations. While donations decline, hospitals actually see an increase in the need for blood. More driving during the summer months can mean more automobile accidents. A person who has suffered severe injuries from an automobile accident can need up to 50 units of blood.

To help maintain Iowa’s blood supply, donate at the Waukon Community Blood Drive scheduled for Thursday, May 6 at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Appointments are necessary in order to donate. To schedule an appointment in order to make a blood donation, contact the LifeServe Blood Center by telephone at 800-287-4903 prior to the day of the scheduled blood drive.

All those wishing to give blood are asked to give themselves at least 56 days at a minimum between blood donations. Those donating blood should not fast, but rather eat a normal, healthy meal the day that they plan to donate blood. Anyone giving blood must be 17 years of age or older, be in general good health and weigh at least 120 pounds.