Brookings Health System to Celebrate 5000th Blood Donation

  • October 24, 2016

Brookings Health System and Community Blood Bank will celebrate the 5,000th donation of blood since the bloodmobile began visiting the hospital in 1992. This blood drive will mark the 108th blood drive hosted with Community Blood Bank. Brookings Health System’s physicians, faculty, staff, and community now have donated over 625 gallons of blood for use for patients in the Brookings community. Brookings Health System sponsors five blood drives a year in partnership with the Community Blood Bank.

The blood drive will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Brookings Health System. There will be special t-shirts and refreshments given to all who donate to celebrate the 5000th donation.

“Community support is vital to the local blood supply. It is important to know that the blood that is donated to Community Blood Bank is from your friends and neighbors in this region,” states Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Brookings Health System for over 25 years. We celebrate with Brookings Health System for their 5000th donation of life-saving blood. Because of dedicated donors donating blood at Brookings Health System blood is readily available for use in traumas, surgeries and the treatment of cancer.”

Individuals can safely donate blood every 56 days. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a sign consent form found at cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating. For additional information please contact Brookings Health System’s lab at (605) 696-8048.