Rhinelander blood drives planned before Labor Day

Three blood drives have been planned in Rhinelander this week, to help boost blood supplies before the Labor Day weekend.

All three drives are Think Local blood drives, when blood donors can enter a drawing to win $100 in gift cards to local businesses. The blood drives will help build up the blood supply before Labor Day, when blood donations are projected to decrease. Official rules for Think Local are found at www.communityblood.org.

• Wednesday Aug. 28, noon to 6 p.m.

Trig's Riverwalk Center, 242 W. Courtney St.

For a donation appointment, call the blood center at (800)280-4102

• Thursday Aug. 29, noon to 4 p.m.

Allied Chiropractic Center, 1404 N. Stevens St.

For a donation appointment, call Jada at (715)482-0504

• Friday Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BMO Harris Bank, 7 Brown Street

For a donation appointment, call Angela at (715)362-1684

Donations of all blood types are needed at these blood drives. Donations from people with O-, A-, and B- blood are especially needed.

"We may not be ready to think about it, but the summer is winding down. As we get closer to Labor Day, blood donations drop," Jan Hadsell said. "These blood drives will help bolster the blood supply before the holiday weekend. I encourage you to make your donation appointment today."

Advance donation appointments are highly recommended at each blood drive. 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.