Local Residents Urged to Donate Blood at Tomah Health and Versiti's May Drive, Free Custard for Donors

Tomah Health and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin are urging locals to donate blood. They are hosting a blood drive on May 1 and 2 at Recreation Park, Tomah, from noon to 5 p.m. The goal is to stock up on blood supplies before the Memorial Day weekend, when demand usually rises.

Emalea Cogdill, a Versiti Blood Center representative, stressed the need for blood donors as summer nears. She said the May donations would help ensure patients get the blood they need on time. Cogdill added that each blood drive aims to supply enough blood to their hospital partners.

Eric Prise, Tomah Health's marketing director, said all donors would get a coupon for a free pint of frozen custard from Culver’s of Tomah. He thanked Culver’s for their support and their 'Give a Pint, Get a Pint' program, a small thank you gesture for the donors.

To donate blood, one must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have a photo ID. Sixteen-year-olds can donate with parental consent. The blood donation process usually takes about an hour, with the actual collection taking around 10 minutes.

Versiti Blood Center supplies blood to over 50 hospital systems in Wisconsin, including Tomah Health and the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The upcoming blood drive is vital to ensure these hospitals have enough blood for their patients.

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