FORT LORAMIE — A “Country Fun Blood Drive” will be held Tuesday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in St. Michael’s Hall, 1533 Elm St., Fort Loramie.
The “Country Fun” tradition enters all registered donors into a drawing to win a pair of tickets to the “Country Concert ’21” music festival, held July 8 through 10. The traditional free ice cream in the Donor Café also returns in the form of individually wrapped ice cream bars.
The blood drive did not have a ticket drawing in the summer of 2020 because the Country Concert was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No open food was served in the Donor Café and there were no volunteers. Despite the restrictions, the 2020 blood drive totaled nearly 300 donors.
St. Michael’s Hall now hosts six community blood drives per year, and all are sponsored by the Fort Loramie American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Fort Loramie Community Service Club, St. Michael’s Church and the St. Michael’s Knights of St. John.
There is no deferral or delay in donating blood after receiving any COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments are encouraged and walk-ins are accepted as space allows. Schedule online at www.DonorTime.com or call 937-461-3220.
CBC is facing its most severe blood shortage since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Usage has outpaced collections of type O blood and CBC is struggling to average the 300 donors per day necessary to meet area hospital demands.
Many corporate and community-sponsored blood drives are not at normal size, despite the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Summer is underway with the traditional challenges of vacation travel, outdoor activities, and increased emergency room usage.
CBC needs new donors and new blood drive sponsors. Call 937-461-3220 to learn how to help.
Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past CBC donors also are asked to bring their CBC donor ID card.
Donors must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 years old with parental consent, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good physical health. The Food and Drug Administration changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically.
