Versiti holiday blood drive in Milwaukee; how to donate
MILWAUKEE - Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin's 24th annual "Holiday of Hope" blood drive kicked off on Thursday, Dec. 26 – with more chances to donate still to come.
Where can I donate blood?
The blood drive at 3rd Street Market Hall will resume on Friday, Dec. 27. The blood drive will continue at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Monday, Dec. 30. The hours for both days are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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All donors will get a $15 e-gift card and a special edition holiday shirt. Donors who attend the Milwaukee County Zoo drive will also get free zoo admission for a future visit.
How to donate blood
Donating blood takes about an hour, with the actual donation taking just 15 minutes.
Versiti said anyone 17 years or older and in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for anyone aged 16 to donate blood.
Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date. To reserve a spot during the drive or to book another appointment, call 1-866-642-5663 or visit Versiti's website. Walk-in donors are also welcome.
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How does it help?
Versiti said it is the local blood supplier for 56 hospitals across 29 Wisconsin counties. The blood drive hopes to welcome more than 500 donors before the year's end.
"We're just asking every single donor, if they are a qualified donor, to please come on out and donate blood," said Chad Dunning with Versiti. "Save a life of somebody you really don't even know."
All blood types are needed, Versiti said, with O-positive and O-negative being the most in demand. O-positive is the most common blood type, while O-negative blood is the universal type that can be safely received by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is unknown.