As a result of Memorial Day, the weekly blood drive at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center will take place on Tuesday, May 28 instead of Monday, May 27. The blood drive will run from Noon to 6 p.m. at the Menard Center, located behind the hospital on the Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center campus at 601 S. Center Ave. in Merrill.
This is a “Cruising Into Summer!” blood drive, where blood donors can enter a drawing to win a $100 gas card. The blood donations collected at this blood drive will help boost the blood supply after Memorial Day weekend, when blood donations usually drop. Official rules are found at www.communityblood.org.
Advance donation appointments are highly recommended, and may be made by calling the Community Blood Center at (800)280-4102 or visiting www.save3lives.org. Walk-in donors are welcome, but scheduling an appointment keeps the total time required for a donation to less than an hour.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, and bring a photo ID. Donors are encouraged to eat a regular meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating.