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SOS sponsoring blood drive this week

Henderson: Come out and donate after Las Vegas

-Messenger photo by Joe Sutter
The Rev. Al Henderson displays the shirts that will be given out to supporters of SOS at the upcoming blood drive, to be held Oct. 19, 20, and 21 in response to the shooting in Las Vegas.

In response to the mass casualty shooting in Las Vegas two weeks ago, a special blood drive is going on this week sponsored by the group Serving our Servants.

SOS, made up of volunteers who support local police, firefighters and first responders, hasn’t done something like this before, but it was moved to act after the shooting, said the Rev. Al Henderson.

“We had some SOS folks who said we ought to do something,” Henderson said.

The blood drive will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the LifeServe Blood Center in Fort Dodge, 2419 Fifth Ave. S., next to the La’James International College.

“We take this as an opportunity to direct people to the local one, rather than waiting for a specific date” for a different location, Henderson said.

The mobile unit which does blood drives at varying locations wasn’t available until much later, he said. Besides, people in town need to know there is an office for making blood donations in Fort Dodge.

“A lot of people don’t know they are there,” Henderson said.

Henderson, who is also chaplain for the Fort Dodge police and fire departments, and other officials, hopes numerous officers will be able to donate, along with lots of members of the public.

And LifeServe is happy for the publicity, he said.

“They are quite eager. They hope they have to call for extra help,” Henderson said. “They’re doing homemade baked goods.”

Anyone who comes in to give will also get a free SOS T-shirt, he said. If they don’t have the right size, they will take orders.

LifeServe Blood Center released a statement the day after the Las Vega shooting reminding people that it’s the blood already on the shelves before an attack or catastrophe that helps victims.

“Don’t wait for a tragedy,” the center said. “It takes time for a unit of donated blood to be prepared for transfusion. Each donation must be screened, processed and transported to a hospital before it’s ready for patients. In order to be prepared for events like the Las Vegas shooting, hospitals need a stable blood supply at all times, not after the fact.”

LifeServe Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood products to more than 120 hospitals in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Once its hospital partners’ needs are fulfilled, the center is able to assist other blood centers should they require assistance.

“United Blood Services in Nevada has reached out to the Las Vegas community for blood donations. LifeServe is standing by ready to assist if needed,” it said.

Walk-ins will be taken care of at the blood drive, Henderson said, but it’s better if people call ahead. Schedule donations by calling (800) 287-4903 or visiting lifeservebloodcenter.org.

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