The idea of getting poked with a big needle and having some of your blood siphoned out is not at all a pleasant one.

However, people who are brave enough to get jabbed and allow some of their blood to be drawn out are a type of hero commonly called a blood donor. They save a lot of lives.

Donating blood takes about an hour, according to leaders of Lifeserve Blood Center, which has a facility in Fort Dodge. In that hour, a blood donor can save three local lives, they say.

Blood and blood products are needed by trauma patients, premature infants, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients and people suffering from all kinds of other conditions. And when those patients need blood, they need it right away. That’s why a good supply of blood is key for the state and nation.

That blood comes from donations. Now is the time for more people to roll up their sleeves and join the ranks of blood donor heroes.

People will have the chance to donate blood today during the St. Edmond Catholic School blood drive. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the school at 501 N. 22nd St.

Appointments to donate are required. To make an appointment email Mike Szalat at szalat@st-edmond.pvt.k12.ia.us.

Yes, this is a late hour to be making an appointment to give blood today, but we are confident that the organizers of this blood drive will accomodate potential donors regardless of when they signed up.

We urge anyone who is healthy and meets the criteria for donating blood to do so.

For more information on donating blood or to schedule an appointment to donate at a different day and time, visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 1-800-287-4903.