Health and Fitness : Help boost the local blood supply

The winter months can often impact the local blood supply, but this winter has been especially harsh. The brutal temperatures along with winter storms have created many challenges for blood donors to get out and give a donation. Now, blood donors are needed to help boost the blood supply so that hospital patients in need of life-saving blood products receive them the moment they need them.

It is important for donors to donate year-round, but blood donors are especially needed during the winter months so that blood products are already on the shelf the moment they are needed. Blood donation matters for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment, for trauma and accident patients, newborn babies, patients with inherited bleeding disorders, and patients undergoing various surgeries.

Please plan to give your life-saving gift and an upcoming blood drive.

• Virginia Gay Hospital and Vinton Community Blood Drive, Friday, March 14, 2014 from 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM at Virginia Gay Hospital, 502 N 9th Ave, Vinton, Iowa.

Sign up to save a life today! Schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800.287.4903.