Riverwood Healthcare Center will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Thurs., Feb. 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fri., Feb. 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The blood donation location is room C&D at the hospital in Aitkin.
For more information or to make an appointment to donate, sign up at www.redcrossblood.org or call Riverwood at 218-927-5314.
Every 2 seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims, according to the Red Cross.
Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative and A negative. According to the Red Cross, type O negative is the universal blood type that can be safely transfused to anyone; it is often used to treat trauma patients.
Individuals who are 17 years and older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Those who donated blood in the past year may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days.
Contact the Red Cross at 1-866-236-3276 with any eligibility questions. Donor suitability is determined at the collection site on the day of donation.
