Recovery 2011 Blood Drive Sponsors Recognized by the American Red Cross
North Central
With more than 30,000 blood donations canceled because of severe winter weather across the country during January and part of February, the American Red Cross set out to recover those donations through the support of committed volunteer blood drive hosts and blood donors. The recovery period concluded March 5, and it is with great appreciation that the Red Cross recognized the following hosting organizations for their exceptional efforts in a USA Today advertisement on Thursday, March 17.
| Minnesota | Minnesota (continued) |
| St. Peters Lutheran Church, Afton | New Richland Community, New Richland |
| First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea | Carleton College, Northfield |
| Alexandria Armory, Alexandria | Osakis Community, Osakis |
| Alexandria Clinic, Alexandria | Eden Valley Community, Paynesville |
| Alexandria Community, Alexandria | Paynesville Community, Paynesville |
| Douglas Machine Corporation, Alexandria | American Legion, Pequot Lakes |
| Annandale Community, Annandale | Pine Technical College, Pine City |
| Anoka Community, Anoka | Creative Memories, Princeton |
| Anoka United Methodist Church, Anoka | Princeton United Methodist Church, Princeton |
| Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Apple Valley | Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount |
| Eastview High School, Apple Valley | Encore Capital Group, Saint Cloud |
| Country Financial, Arden Hills | St. Cloud State University, Saint Cloud |
| Smiths Medical ASD Inc., Arden Hills | College of St. Benedict, Saint Joseph |
| Austin Community, Austin | Sauk Centre Community, Sauk Centre |
| Riverland Community College, Austin | Kraus Hartig VFW Post 6587, Spring Lake Park |
| MN Department of Transportation, Baxter | Spring Lake Park High School, Spring Lake Park |
| Xcel, Becker | PrimeVest, St. Cloud |
| Benson Community, Benson | St. Cloud Community, St Cloud |
| Benson High School, Benson | St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud |
| Christ Lutheran Church, Blaine | Faribault Community, Faribault |
| Buffalo High School, Buffalo | Saint Paul College, St. Paul |
| Berean Baptist Church, Burnsville | YMCA Skyway, St. Paul |
| Canby Community, Canby | Holy Family Catholic High School, Victoria |
| Chokio Community, Chokio | HealthSource Waconia, Waconia |
| Dakota County Wescott Library, Eagan | Waconia High School, Waconia |
| Thomson Reuters, Eagan | Augustana Lutheran Church, West Saint Paul |
| Elbow Lake Community, Elbow Lake | Ridgewater College, Willmar |
| Fairmont Community, Fairmont | Eagle Lake Lutheran Church, Willmar |
| Southern Plains Learning Center, Fairmont | American Legion Post #9, Winona |
| Foley Community, Foley | Express Suites River Port Inn, Winona |
| Forest Lake High School, Forest Lake | Merchants National Bank, Winona |
| Totino Grace High School, Fridley | St. Mary's University, Winona |
| Gaylord Community, Gaylord | Winona State University, Winona |
| McLeod County Public Health, Glencoe | East Ridge High School, Woodbury |
| Yellow Medicine East High School, Granite Falls | Kowalski’s Market, Woodbury |
| Blaine VFW, Ham Lake | |
| Regina Medical Center Auxiliary, Hastings | Wisconsin |
| St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Hastings | Amery Community, Amery |
| Wheaton Community, Herman | Northland College, Ashland |
| 3M, Hutchinson | Cameron Community, Cameron |
| CHS Inc., Inver Grove Heights | Chippewa County, Chippewa Falls |
| Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights | Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau Claire |
| Faith Lutheran Church, Isanti | Red Cedar Medical Center, Menomonie |
| Jordan Community, Jordan | Osceola High School, Osceola, Wisconsin |
| Madison Community, Madison | Knights of Columbus, Rice Lake |
| Minnesota State University Delta Sigma Pi, Mankato | Rice Lake Community, Rice Lake |
| Snell Motors, Mankato | American Legion Post 121, River Falls |
| South Central College, Mankato | University of Wisconsin, River Falls |
| MGS Machine Corporation, Maple Grove | Roberts Community, Roberts |
| 3M, Maplewood | Shell Lake Community, Shell Lake |
| Marine on St Croix Community, Marine on Saint Croix | St. Croix Falls Community, St. Croix Falls |
| HealthPartners, Minneapolis | |
| Air Force Base, Minneapolis | South Dakota |
| Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis | Big Stone American Legion, Big Stone City |
| Montevideo Community, Montevideo | Toronto Community, Toronto |
Thanks to these organizations and those who donated at the drives, as well as many other blood drive hosts and donors, the blood supply is currently sufficient. But the need for blood is constant. Approximately every two seconds a patient in the United States needs blood. All blood types are needed, especially type O negative, to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.
