There’s no substitute for blood. When a patient that is in need receives blood, it was given in advance by a generous donor, just like you. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. But supply can’t always meet demand, because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps us meet patient needs. As we look towards fall, we know blood donor availability can be a challenge as kids head back to school and people celebrate the Labor Day holiday. Donors are needed now to ensure that blood is available when patients need it. When you donate blood September 3-7, you’ll get a new 16 oz Red Cross campfire mug while supplies last.

You can help, by donating blood at the New Glarus Community Blood Drive to be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., at the New Glarus Area EMS station, 401 3rd Street. It only takes about an hour to help save lives.

An appointment is strongly recommended. To do so, please download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code NewGlarus, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).