Upcoming blood drives

The following are upcoming Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) blood drives in the local area:

-Mt. Pleasant Treatment Center will host a community blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Wednesday, May 11, at 1200 E. Washington St., inside the Brown Room.

-New London Lions Club will host a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m., on Wednesday, May 11, at 106 N. Division St., inside New London Community Hall.

-Henry County Health Center will host a community blood drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Friday, May 13, at 407 S. White St., inside the Health Education Center.

-Hy-Vee will host a community blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Friday, May 13, at 1700 E. Washington St., inside the MVRBC Donor Bus.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, call the MVRBC at 800-747-5401.

Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.

MVRBC is the provider of blood and blood components to more than 90 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. In the local area, MVRBC is the exclusive provider to Great River Health Systems and Henry County Health Center.