American Red Cross blood drives are planned in Crosslake and Emily Sept. 9-10 during National Preparedness Month.
The drive in Crosslake will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Immaculate Heart Church. For an appointment, call Jeanne at 218-763-4455.
To donate blood in Emily, go to the Emily City Hall between noon and 6 p.m. on Sept. 10. Call Nancy Moritz at 218-763-3097 for an appointment or to volunteer. Root beer floats will be served in the canteen area as an appreciation of donors.
Walk-ins are welcome at both locations and will be given the next available appointment. The blood drives are typically not as busy after 3 p.m.
The Red Cross reports that the blood supply is at a critically low level and all blood types are needed.
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The Emily drive, sponsored by the Emily, Outing, Fifty Lakes Lakers Lions, has a goal of collecting 107 pints. The Emily area hosts three bloodmobiles per year, with this drive being the 65th during the past 26 years.
The Emily drive is also seeking double red cell donors with blood types A-negative, B-negative, O-positive and O-negative. Call Moritz if interested in this option.
There are eligibility requirements for blood donation. Donors need to be 17 years or older, at least 110 pounds and in general good health. Sixteen-year-olds are eligible to donate with a parent or guardian's signature on a Red Cross permission form. Previous donors may donate again if 56 days have passed since their last donation.
Donors who occasionally have low iron counts are reminded to improve their iron levels by either taking over-the-counter iron supplements or adding iron-rich foods to their diets. Meat, fish and poultry are the best-absorbed iron-rich foods.
