Let your heart do the math. How many lives can 500 blood donations in 5 days save?
Staff in the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program are dreaming big this holiday season. Their goal is to draw 500 blood donations in just five days from Dec. 18–22.
Each year, Mayo Clinic in Rochester transfuses approximately 50,000 blood products. That means that about 100 donors need to step up each weekday to meet the needs of the patients at Mayo.
While the holiday season brings celebration and cheer for many, it can be a challenge for blood donor centers. With breaks from school and work, seasonal illnesses and hectic holiday schedules, people donate less frequently, while the need for blood products increases.
"During the holiday season, we often see a decrease in blood donations while many blood donors are away traveling for the holidays," says Justin Juskewitch, M.D., Ph.D., associate medical director of the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program.
The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program will face its biggest hurdle of the holiday season next week, with a closure on Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Day. Due to a national blood shortage, even this small break in donations will significantly affect the local blood supply.
That's where you come in.
"By rallying together in a community-wide challenge, you can help us meet our patients' needs as we head into the long holiday weekend," Dr. Juskewitch says.
"Blood donation remains the most common way in which neighbors can help save lives," Dr. Juskewitch says. "It takes an entire community to help provide the amount of blood that some of our neighbors need because of illness, surgery or accidents."
Help Mayo Clinic reach its goal of 500 donations in five days by scheduling an appointment to donate blood.
Schedule a blood donation
To schedule your blood donation appointment or find out if you are eligible to donate blood, call the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center today at 507-284-4475.
Here's where you can donate blood:
Downtown Rochester
The Downtown Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center is located on the main floor of the Hilton Building and is open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Northwest Rochester
The Northwest Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center is located in the 4115 Building of the 41st Street Professional Building complex and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Community blood drives
Community Blood Drives are listed on the Blood Donor Program website.