Give blood for chance to win gas

This summer, blood donors with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center can help top off the local blood supply and receive a chance to win a $50 gas card.

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region during the summer months, the blood center is holding a daily drawing for one $50 gas gift card through Sept. 8. Everyone who presents to give blood at a donor center or mobile blood drive will be eligible to win.

A mobile blood drive is planned from 3-7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Building. Donors who last gave on or before June 20 are eligible to give again. Walk-in donors are welcome, but for appointments, call 800-452-1097.

A blood drive is set 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 17 in at Jefferson County Health Center. Donors who last gave on or before June 22 are eligible. Walk-in donors are welcome, but for appointments, call 800-452-1097.

A blood drive is set 2-6:30 pm. Aug. 20 at First United Methodist Church. Donors who last gave on or before June 25 are eligible. Walk-in donors are welcome, but for appointments, call Melva Dahl at 472-5762.

A blood drive is set 3-7 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Batavia Senior Citizen Center. Donors who last gave on or before June 26 are eligible. Walk-in donors are welcome, but for appointments, call 800-452-1097.

A blood drive is set 3:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Lockridge Senior Center. Donors who last gave on or before June 26 are eligible. Walk-in donors are welcome, but for appointments, call 800-452-1097.

A blood drive is set 3:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at Hope Lutheran Church in Germanville near Brighton. Donors who last gave on or before June 27 are eligible. Walk-in donors are welcome, but for appointments, call 800-452-1097.

According to blood center officials, blood donation is a safe, simple procedure taking about an hour.

Donors must be at least 16 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.

A blood donor card or other photo identification is required to donate.

Sixteen-year-old donors must present a signed parental consent form each time they donate. Consent forms are at www.bloodcenter.org.

Donors can give blood every eight weeks. One pint of blood can help save the lives of up to three patients, and one out of every five people entering a hospital will need blood products.

Results of blood drives

The blood center drew 61 pints of blood at three recent blood drives.

A total of 19 were drawn July 25 at the Keosauqua Senior Center; 30 were drawn July 25 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Building; and 12 were drawn July 31 at Fairfield Friends Church.