United Blood Services invites new donors to give blood. The need for blood is constant, and volunteer  blood donors contribute to nearly all the blood used for patient care in the United States. If all those who were eligible to donate would do so on a regular basis, say three times per year, community and hospital blood needs could be met at all times.
Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Patients across the country receive approximately 38,000 units of this lifesaving resource each day; they may be accident victims, people undergoing surgery or patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases. By committing to donate three times a year, a first-time (or repeat) donor can count on saving the lives of up to six people!
People who are interested in becoming blood donors can donate at their next community blood drive on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 2 to 6:15 p.m.  in the Woonsocket Community Center. You can make an appointment to donate by calling Gay Swenson at 796-4272 or Emily George at 796-4303.
Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 or 17 in certain areas, must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. For more information, visit us at www.bloodhero.com, or call 605-342-8585 at Rapid City, or 605-996-3688 at Mitchell. Donors will also receive a free cholesterol test.
United Blood Services has been this area’s non-profit community blood provider since 1965, and serves patients in area hospitals. The United Blood Services network is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations, and is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers and the AABB.