Mena blood drive

Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) and Campbell Timberland Management/Mena High School are partnering in two blood drives:

Thursday, November 17, from 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Polk County Housing Authority, 509 Morrow Street.

Monday, November 21, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. in the football parking lot at Mena Elementary School.

Each blood donor will also receive a blood donor T-shirt, free health screenings and Donor Rewards Points, redeemable at ABI’s online store. All healthy adults, 16 and older*, are encouraged to donate blood, to save the lives of patients in our community hospitals.

Donors at this drive can also support the Global Blood Fund. If a blood donor chooses to forgo the donor appreciation item, funds designated for that item will be redirected to a partnering organization. It’s a chance to “doubly give” by providing a blood donation and supporting research and treatment initiatives in developing countries around the world.

“Although all blood types are needed to maintain ABI’s typical 3-day supply, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate,” states John Armitage, M. D., Arkansas Blood Institute President and CEO. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population. However, O-negative blood can be used by anyone in an emergency situation, regardless of type.

Whole blood donations can be made every 56 days. Arkansas Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed by patients in 17 hospitals in the River Valley thanks to its volunteer donors. Arkansas Blood Institute is affiliated with Oklahoma Blood Institute, the ninth largest, independent nonprofit blood center in the nation. Arkansas Blood Institute was formed at this time to reflect the local commitment to providing for people in the region.

For more information about ABI or to make an appointment, contact Arkansas Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visit us at www.arkbi.org.

* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.