Due to a significant shortage of blood donations, particularly type O blood, Tomah Health and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin are asking area donors to donate during a two-day drive July 17 & 18. “Recent trends have shown a decline in donations, exacerbated by the onset of summer break and an increase in patient need,” said Versiti Blood Center account representative Emalea Cogdill. “This shortfall poses a significant risk to our communities, as it directly impacts our ability to respond swiftly to medical emergencies, including transplants and trauma incidents,” explained Cogdill.
Donors can give blood July 17 or July 18 from noon to 5 p.m. at Recreation Park, 1625 Butts Ave., Tomah.
To register for the July 17 drive, CLICK HERE
To register for the July 18 drive, CLICK HERE
Versiti Blood Center is the sole blood supplier to over 50 hospital systems in Wisconsin including Tomah Health, the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and other hospitals in the Coulee Region. To donate blood, a person must be in good health, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and have photo identification. Sixteen-year-olds may also donate with parental consent. While the process for whole blood donation usually takes about one hour, the blood collection itself is usually about 10 minutes.
Cogdill said the summer places extra stress on the blood supply with increased travel and summer breaks that often lead to higher blood usage. “Every blood drive is focused on making sure that we are providing enough blood products to our hospital partners,” said Cogdill.
As an extra incentive, Tomah Health marketing director Eric Prise said all attempting donors will receive a coupon for a free gate admission to the Monroe County Fair scheduled July 24-28 at Recreation Park in Tomah. The tickets are courtesy of Versiti and Tomah Health.