The Community Blood Center (CBC) will host the annual Merrill MASH Blood Drive on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Merrill Expo Center (303 N. Sales Street).
In support of Veterans and the Merrill community, CBC will make a monetary donation to the Northwoods Veterans Post Facility for every unit of blood collected.
“COVID-19 and summer both present challenges for blood donation,” Chief Operating Officer, Kristine Belanger, said. “We need blood donors to make appointments to ensure a stable and reliable blood supply for the patients who depend on it.”
CBC is the sole supplier of all blood, platelets and plasma to nearly 30 hospitals throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital.
All presenting donors will receive a MASH t-shirt, food and refreshments, and an entry to win one of three cutting-edge technology packages. Upon arrival, donors will have their temperature taken and will be offered a mask.
“This is an important blood drive for both CBC and the Merrill Community,” Belanger adds. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Northwoods Veterans Post Facility and are honored to support the important work they do.”
Amid COVID-19, CBC has implemented a number of safety measures, including appropriate spacing in waiting areas and between donor beds, limiting staffing, mask and/or face shield wearing by staff members, masks provided for all donors, food safety, and additional sanitizing.
Appointments are required this year to ensure CBC can manage the number of people gathered at one time. For more information or to schedule a donation, visit http://www.communityblood.org or call (800) 280-4102.
About The Community Blood Center-
The Community Blood Center was established in 1955 and continues today as an independent nonprofit providing a safe and reliable blood supply to hospitals in Northeast Wisconsin, the Northwoods and upper Michigan. CBC has donor centers in Appleton, Oshkosh, Little Chute and Woodruff, and hosts over 100 blood drives every month. The Community Blood Center is a member of America’s Blood Centers (ABC) and Blood Centers of America (BCA) which are networks of independent community-based, not-for-profit blood centers supporting the blood needs for approximately 60% of the United States.