Red Cross Bloodmobile coming to Minneota

Because more than 80 percent of blood donations are made at blood drives hosted by volunteers, blood drive partners play a vital role in helping ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients in need. In addition to helping save lives, organizations that host blood drives can also build goodwill in their community, bringing people together around a central cause.

Minneota’s next blood drive is 1:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, October 15 at the Minneota High School Gym.

Organizing a blood drive is easier than many expect, and blood drive coordinator Joe Turner agrees. Since 2016, Turner has hosted an annual blood drive at his church in memory of his father, Woody, who battled cancer for many years and needed platelets during treatment.

“Hosting a blood drive with Red Cross is pretty simple,” said Turner. “The donor recruitment manager takes care of the drive logistics, and I help by asking my friends and family to schedule an appointment to give blood at the drive.”

A Red Cross representative works with the host every step of the way, providing planning assistance, tools to recruit blood donors, equipment and supplies, and the trained staff needed to screen donors and collect donations.

Blood drive hosts provide a large, open location, identify volunteers to support donor recruitment, and recruit and schedule blood donors.

Turner actively recruits blood donors for the drive using social media, flyers and a SleevesUp campaign. “I would encourage those who are thinking about hosting a blood drive to simply do it. Help your community. Everybody knows somebody who has needed blood, or may need blood at some point,” said Turner.

“When you think of how many people can benefit from the blood donations given at one drive, that’s most rewarding to me.”