MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — It’s National Blood Donation Week, and Governor Doug Burgum has proclaimed September 4th as North Dakota Blood Donation Day. Spokespeople with Vitalant say that blood donations increase during the summer.

North Dakotans donating blood through Vitalant Wednesday can redeem a gift card through the donor reward store and receive an 80s throwback t-shirt. Vitalant Communications Manager Tori Robbins says today is special, especially now that their cause has the governor’s support.

“Vitalant has our centers in North Dakota that are open and accepting donations not only blood donations but platelets and plasma donations which are also very important. If you are not quite sure the type of donor you are or what your blood type is don’t worry just come in and we will get you to the right type of donation not only for you but for those patients that need your blood donation or platelets or your plasma,” said Robbins.

The majority of blood usage is a planned event. Hospitals receive blood for transfusions every few weeks to several months, and don’t have a substitute if they run out. Blood type O-negative is the most sought-after because it’s known as the universal donor.

“When there is an emergency situation and doctors don’t have time to blood type a patient,” Robbins explains, they will reach for O-Negative blood to save that patient’s life, and then move on to the blood type they are. O-negative is only about 6 percent of the population, so they are very rare. It’s very important for those O-Negatives to donate every time they are eligible.”

Vitalant is in a critical need of all blood types. If you’d like to donate, Bismarck’s Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is happening Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Kirkwood Mall.

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