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January is the official National Blood Donor Month, and this is a good time to make a New Year's resolution to be a regular blood donor. The Red Cross Bloodmobile, sponsored by the Lakers Lions of Emily, Outing and Fifty Lakes, will be making its first of three blood drive visits to Emily on Monday, January. 13, from Noon to 6:00 p.m. at the new Emily City Hall, former Emily Charter School. Help is needed. Each year, the demand for blood increases by up to 8%, while annual blood donations only increase 2% to 3%. Currently, only 5% of eligible blood donors actually donate. The blood supply is at a dangerous low point now, following the holiday season when donations have been down due to everyone's busy schedules. Severe winter weather throughout the Midwest has caused the cancellation of numerous blood drives, impacting blood donations for our local American Red Cross. The Red Cross counts on these blood drives and donations to ensure an adequate supply for patients at area hospitals as well as throughout the country. To help ensure a sufficient blood supply, please make an appointment to donate blood and change a life, starting with your own. Giving blood now will help rebuild the blood supply and will help to ensure enough blood is on hand for all patients in the weeks to come.

Requirements to be a Blood Donor are at least 17 years old, weigh 110 lbs. or more and are in good health. 16 year olds are now allowed to donate, with a parent or guardian's signature on the Red Cross permission form. Diabetics are accepted, even when on insulin. Most other medications are accepted as long as the donor is healthy. Antibiotics being taken, must be completed and symptoms resolved.

The goal assigned to Emily is to collect 118 units of blood. The goal was raised due to the increased need for blood. Please do your part and make sure that blood is available for those in need of a transfusion. They are counting on us, so that they may live. Ask about Double Red Cell collection, which is available to donors with blood types O+, O-, A- and B-. For regular blood donations, all blood types are always needed. Bring your donor card or a driver's license, or two other forms of identification when donating. To schedule an appointment or to volunteer to help at the blood drive, please call Nancy at 218-763-3097.

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