Sioux Falls, SD — Community Blood Bank and Hy-Vee are proud to announce a collaborative summer campaign titled “Fueling Up the Blood Supply,” designed to strengthen the regional blood supply during one of the most challenging seasons for blood collections. Throughout June, July, and August, donors who schedule an appointment to give blood on any Monday at Community Blood Bank’s donor room locations, Sanford USD Medical Center, or Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center will receive a $15 gas voucher redeemable at all six Sioux Falls Hy-Vee locations.
In addition to the Monday donor room promotion, each Sioux Falls Hy-Vee location will host its own community blood drive event. All donors who give blood at these drives will also receive a $15 gas voucher as a token of appreciation for their life-saving contribution, as well as an All-American Blood Donor t-shirt.
To schedule a Monday appointment, visit www.cbblifeblood.org, navigate to the “News” section, and select the “Fueling Up the Blood Supply” article for drive details and scheduling links. Appointments can also be made by calling Community Blood Bank directly at (605) 331-3222. Listed below are upcoming Hy-Vee blood drives in the community:
Friday, June 5 – Join in to give blood at Hy-Vee (37th St. & Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule a donation time by selecting the link HERE.
Friday, June 5 – Join in to give blood at Hy-Vee (26th St. & Sycamore Ave., Sioux Falls) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule a donation time by selecting the link HERE.
Friday, July 10 – Join in to give blood at Hy-Vee (E. 10th St., Sioux Falls) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule a donation time by selecting the link HERE.
Friday, July 17 – Join in to give blood at Hy-Vee (49th St. & Louise Ave., Sioux Falls) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule a donation time by selecting the link to follow.
Monday, July 20 – Join in to give blood at Hy-Vee (57th St. & Cliff Ave., Sioux Falls) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule a donation time by selecting the link to follow.
Monday, July 27 – Join in to give blood at Hy-Vee (26th St. & Marion Ave., Sioux Falls) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedule a donation time by selecting the link to follow.
Ken Versteeg, Executive Director of Community Blood Bank, underscores the urgency of summer donations: “The summer months present our greatest challenge in maintaining adequate blood supplies for local patients. As more residents turn their attention to vacations and outdoor recreation, blood donation often takes a back seat. When you factor in increased travel on both roadways and waterways, which drives a rise in trauma cases, alongside a 15 to 20 percent drop in donations, the result is a critical shortage that directly impacts patient care. This partnership with Hy-Vee gives donors a meaningful incentive to make time for a potentially life-saving act.”
Community Blood Bank serves more than 550 units of blood each week to patients across northwestern Iowa, southeastern South Dakota, and southwestern Minnesota. Each whole blood donation is separated into three components, platelets, plasma, and red blood cells, meaning a single donation has the potential to save up to three lives. The need is significant: trauma patients may require up to 50 blood components during recovery, heart surgery patients may need up to 6 units, and cancer patients can require as many as 100 units throughout the course of their treatment. Eligible donors may give blood once every 56 days, making it possible to contribute multiple times throughout the summer.
Donor eligibility requirements include being at least 17 years of age (or 16 with a signed parental consent form available at www.cbblifeblood.org), weighing a minimum of 110 pounds, and being in good general health on the day of donation. Donors are encouraged to eat a full meal and drink plenty of fluids before arriving, and should bring a valid photo ID.
Community Blood Bank is a nonprofit organization and cooperative of Sanford USD Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital and is not affiliated with any other blood bank organizations. For more information, visit www.cbblifeblood.org or call (605) 331-3222.
