American Red Cross BloodMobile Services in Mora and the Surrounding Central Minnesota Area

Each year the American Red Cross provides vital services to millions across the nation. We have the opportunity here in Mora, Mn. and surrounding communities to help the Red Cross by donating blood when the bloodmobiles come to our area. By donating blood, as many of us are aware of, we are giving the gift of life to someone who may be in desperate need of blood because of some catastrophic medical condition. What better gift could one possibly give? Here are some upcoming dates and locations where blood drives will be taking place in our area in the near future.

1. Jan. 6 & 7, 2011: Cambridge First Baptist Church, 304 S. Main St., Cambridge, Mn.-Jan. 6, 2011 from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and Jan. 7 from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. This location is also accepting double red cell donations.

2. Jan. 10, 2011: St. Johns Lutheran Church, 980 W. 4th St., Rush City, Mn.-1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

3. Jan. 11, 2011: Braham High School, Elmhurst Drive, Braham, Mn.- 12:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.

4. Jan. 20, 2011: Calvary Lutheran Church, 414 S. Wood St., Mora, Mn.-9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

5. Jan. 24, 2011: Vets Club, 38692 US Hwy. 169, Onamia, Mn.- 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. This blood drive is dedicated to Mary Catherine Virnig in celebration of her valuable courageous young life.

"Gifts That Save The Day Campaign": This second annual holiday giving campaign accepts monetary donations that can be designated to support a variety of Red Cross services. Some of the services you may want to designate your donation to are: refreshments for blood drives, disaster victim relief, vaccinations for underprivileged children, or connecting families with loved overseas via telephone cards. For a list of available gift options call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Volunteer Opportunities: There are also a number of volunteer opportunities available to help out the Red Cross when the blood drives come to your town. They include refreshment servers, greeters and in some areas shuttle drivers may be needed. For details on these volunteer opportunities in your specific area you can call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Pint-Sized Hero and Future Blood Donor Program: The American Red Cross invites your school to participate in these programs which encourage elementary school and middle school students to get involved with saving lives. These programs are for students who are too young to donate blood themselves but can learn at an early age about the importance of blood donation and hosting blood drives through their schools. For more information call 1-800-RED CROSS.

I encourage everyone out there to get on the bandwagon and donate the most precious gift of all, the gift of blood, when these blood drives come to your local area. The only cost to you is a few minutes of your time and I can almost guarantee you'll feel good because you took the time to donate.

source: http;//www.redcrossblood.org