Lions Club plans April 24 blood drive

To the Editor and the Monticello community,

     The Monticello Lions Club is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, April 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Monticello Berndes Center located at the Jones County Fairgrounds.

     To make an appointment to donate, please call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org. Walk-in donors are always welcome.

     The Red Cross collects and distributes about 40 percent of our nation’s blood supply. On any given day, about 44,000 pints of blood may be required to meet the needs of patients across the United States.

     Here in Eastern Iowa, volunteer blood donors are needed to provide lifesaving blood and blood products to hospital patients. Blood donation matters every day for cancer patients undergoing treatment, accident, trauma, and for patients being treated for various blood disorders.

     Only 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but less than 10 percent donate annually. If you are one of the eligible people who are able to donate blood, your donation is very important in saving lives.

     Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 years with parental permission in Iowa), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health, may be eligible to donate blood.

     We encourage you to give of your time and donate blood on Tuesday, April 24 at the Monticello Berndes Center.

     The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Thank you for helping to make the Monticello Lions’ spring blood drive a success.

     One last thought: Remember, blood does not grow on trees. Please donate; you will make a difference.

John Lacock

and the Monticello Lions

Blood Drive Committee