Ministry St. Mary’s Hospital is hosting a community blood drive Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hospital is located at 2251 North Shore Drive in Rhinelander. Hospital staff, volunteers, visitors, and community members are invited to participate.

“All of the blood used at Ministry St. Mary’s comes from the Community Blood Center,” said Jan Hadsell at the blood center. “Donating at a hospital blood drive really reinforces why blood donation is important- so that patients can receive the transfusions they need.”

Advance donation appointments are highly recommended, and may be made by calling Jacci at 361-4782 or Sue at 361-2592, or visiting www.save3lives.org. Walk-in donors are welcome, but scheduling an appointment helps ensure a fast and convenient process.

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.

Since 1955, the Community Blood Center has worked with volunteer blood donors to provide a steady, reliable blood supply for hospitals. Today, the blood center remains a nonprofit organization committed to serving hospital patients. The blood center is also a donor center with the National Marrow Donor Program, facilitating transplants for patients with life-threatening diseases.