Tomah area residents are being asked to donate blood to meet a summertime shortage. The BloodCenter of Wisconsin is holding a drive July 24 at Tomah Memorial Hospital. BloodCenter account representative Rich Rice says summer schedules and vacations create an interesting time of year. “It certainly does have an impact. Each day, we need to collect over 800 units of blood to meet the needs of the patients and the area hospitals in Wisconsin,” said Rice. “So, if that number drips well below 800, then we have to play catch-up. Need goes up, donations go down which kinda creates a perfect storm to be a bad combination.” Rice said all blood types are needed. The BloodCenter is the sole supplier of blood to about 70 percent of hospitals in Wisconsin including Tomah Memorial and the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Residents can donate blood Thursday, July 24 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tomah Memorial Hospital. Donors can call the hospital at 608-374-6605 or go online at http://www.tomahhospital.org/ to schedule an appointment. Rice also said everyone that attempts to donate blood will receive a free admission ticket to the Monroe County Fair scheduled July 23rd through 27th at Recreation Park in Tomah.
Contributed by Eric Prise