It's Time to Think Spring While Saving Lives at KARE 11 Community Blood Drive

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Spring will be in the air on March 22nd when local nonprofit Memorial Blood Centers and NBC-affiliate KARE 11 come together to host the 15th annual KARE 11 Community Blood Drive. All eligible donors are encouraged to step up to make a blood donation and receive a coupon for a free 6-pack of annuals, courtesy of Linder's Garden Center. As time allows, presenting donors also may be eligible for a tour of the KARE 11 studios.  

What: KARE 11 Community Blood Drive

When: Thursday, March, 22, 2012
2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Where: KARE 11 Studios
8811 Olson Memorial Hwy
Golden Valley

Why: Every two seconds someone needs blood
Blood cannot be synthetically made; there is no substitute
Only volunteer blood donors can save lives
38% of the community is eligible to give blood yet only 7% actually do

Advance registration is strongly encouraged, although walk-ins are always welcome.  To schedule a donation appointment, go to www.MBC.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code #0204 for the KARE 11 Blood Drive. Or contact Kristi Weberg at Memorial Blood Centers by phone, 651-332-7168, or email at [email protected].

All eligible donors who meet MBC general health requirements are welcome to make a date to donate. Specific height and weight restrictions apply for 16 –18 year-old donors and those 16 years of age must have written parental consent. Additional eligibility guidelines are available at www.MBC.org or by calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253). 

About Memorial Blood Centers
Memorial Blood Centers has been saving lives for over 60 years as an independent nonprofit supplying life-saving blood to area hospitals and other partners throughout the U.S. Operating 11 donor centers and conducting hundreds of blood drives each month, Memorial Blood Centers also provides comprehensive testing and expert technical services as a national leader in transfusion medicine. For more information, call 888-GIVE-BLD or visit MBC.org.

SOURCE Memorial Blood Centers