*Summer donation slump puts regional blood supply at risk — community urged to give*
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As summer temperatures rise, blood donation levels traditionally drop, creating an urgent need for community support. Community Blood Bank is calling on faculty, staff, and the public to help maintain a strong blood supply during these challenging months by participating in an upcoming campus blood drive.
Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center will host its semi-annual campus blood drive on Thursday, July 30th, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration will take place in the hospital lobby, across from the coffee shop.
To schedule a donation:
– Visit cbblifeblood.org, select “Events,” and find the Avera McKennan drive, or
– Sign up directly by selecting the link HERE, or call Community Blood Bank at (605) 331-3222
Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are encouraged to minimize wait times.
As a thank-you, donors will receive a $15 Hy-Vee gift card, an Avera McKennan Café meal certificate, a large Papa Murphy’s Signature Pizza certificate, and an All American t-shirt.
“The summer months pose unique challenges for blood collection throughout the region,” said Ken Versteeg, Executive Director of Community Blood Bank. “Vacation schedules, outdoor activities, and busy summer plans often lead to decreased donation rates precisely when the need for blood products remains constant. Hospitals continue to serve patients requiring life-saving transfusions for surgeries, cancer treatments, trauma care, and other medical emergencies regardless of the season.”
Donor Eligibility
Donor must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and must be in good general health. It is recommended that donors eat within 3 hours of their donation, and drink water beforehand.
The full donation process takes about 30 minutes, though the actual blood collection itself takes only 8–10 minutes.
Community Blood Bank supplies 43 hospitals and medical facilities across the region, including the entire Sioux Falls area. Because donations stay local, every gift directly supports patients in the community who are counting on their neighbors to give.
