BloodCenter of Wisconsin wants to know “Why are you Grateful that People Give Blood?
Or: “Why do you donate blood?”
Why is blood donation important to you? Is it because you have a relative with cancer who regularly needs platelets? Likewise, why do you give blood? Is it because you know someone who was in a severe car accident and needed blood in order to survive? BloodCenter of Wisconsin wants to hear your stories.
BloodCenter of Wisconsin is encouraging La Crosse residents to tell why they are grateful for blood donors or why they give blood in preparation for this year’s La Crosse 200 Community Blood Drive, June 23 and 24. If you have a good story to share, please write it in 250 words or less and email or mail it along with your name, age, mailing address and email address to BloodCenter of Wisconsin at dan.gordon@bcw.edu or Dan Gordon 3237 Glendale Ave. La Crosse, WI 54601. All entries must be received by May 29. Numerous donors will then be selected to share their stories on the radio during the week leading up to Community Blood drive as a way to encourage others to give blood.
The third annual La Crosse 200 Community Blood Drive is aimed at gathering 200 units of blood for patients in the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare and Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center as well as other Wisconsin community hospitals. BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the only provider of blood to every hospital in the La Crosse community.
According to Dan Gordon, of BloodCenter of Wisconsin, “The La Crosse 200 Blood Drive is all about getting everyone in the community to understand the importance of volunteering to give blood.
“In 2008, the Blood Center of Wisconsin provided the La Crosse community with 14,645 units of blood and you never know when you, a friend or a loved one may need blood. I’d like to encourage those with good stories about why they are grateful people give blood or why they personally give blood to share them and so others will be encouraged to try giving blood. It’s easy and it feels good to help others. One pint of donated blood can help up to three people.”
The La Crosse 200 Community Blood Drive is sponsored by La Crosse Speedway and La Crosse Radio Group in partnership with BloodCenter of Wisconsin. It will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 23 and from noon to 5 p.m. on June 24 at the La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Plaza.
Anyone who is at least 16 years old, weighs a minimum of 110 lbs. and is in generally good health can donate blood. The entire process takes about an hour and all blood types are needed. Donors should bring a photo ID. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-442-5663 or visit www.bcw.edu/LAX200.
BloodCenter of Wisconsin is a private, non-profit organization widely acclaimed as one of the top transfusion medicine organizations in the world and a leader in diagnostic testing of blood, blood research and blood collection. BloodCenter of Wisconsin advances patient care by delivering life-saving solutions grounded in unparalleled medical and scientific expertise.