BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

The annual MASH Blood Drive will be held in Merrill on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Northwoods Veterans Post, 601 Johnson St. in Merrill.
Each person who comes to donate blood at the event will receive a MASH t-shirt, free lunch, and refreshments.
The Community Blood Center (CBC) organizes the event and works with community partners like VFW Post 1638 in Merrill to facilitate events that will draw the community out to donate blood to ensure a reliable blood supply for hospitals in Wisconsin. The CBC will make a monetary donation to the VFW for every blood donation received at this event.
“Throughout the summer, CBC hosts four MASH blood drives to help ensure a reliable blood supply,” a press release from the CBC said. “Many people are spending their summers enjoying the warmer weather, traveling, and filling their schedules with summer activities. This makes it more difficult to find blood donors. At the same time, recreational traumas and injuries can lead to an increased need for blood in the summer months. MASH offers community members a fun and different donation experience in hopes of keeping the blood supply stable. Merrill MASH marks the final MASH blood drive of the summer.”
“Blood transfused to a patient must come from a volunteer blood donor,” said John Hagins, President and Chief Executive Officer at the CBC. “Donating blood at Merrill MASH is the perfect opportunity to make a powerful impact in our community—not only are you helping patients in area hospitals who may need blood, you’re also helping support local veterans.”
The CBC provides blood to more than 40 hospitals, including hospitals in the Northwoods and Northcentral Wisconsin.
To learn more or to schedule a donation at the Merrill MASH event, go to: communityblood.org/mash.