Keene Memorial Library will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 31.
Donors at the Library’s drive will be eligible to receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.
For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 402-727-2694 and ask for Tracy, or sign up online at redcrossblood.org.
“Hosting a blood drive coincides with Keene Memorial Library and the City of Fremont’s core values of giving back to the community,” said Library Director Laura England-Biggs. “With a simple blood donation, we have the ability to help save the life of someone who could be a coworker, loved one or neighbor.”
Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims, according to the Red Cross. During a blood shortage, doctors may be face difficult choices about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait.
Hospitals already strained by the worst flu season in 20 years are now also being forced to triage critical blood products. High flu activity and intense winter weather may also be sidelining donors, which slows the effort to rebuild the national blood supply.
Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O. According to the Red Cross, type O negative is the universal blood type
