The Nycole and Jenna Korstjens Scholarship Blood Drive was held on Monday, June 1, at Milbank High School. The student-led drive resulted in 15 registered donors, 13 successful donations, and 14 units of blood collected. The turnout is estimated to be able to help up to 42 local patients in need of lifesaving transfusions.
A highlight of the drive was the recruitment of three first-time donors:
• Brian Bump
• Ryan Kohl
• Scott Trapp
“Summer always presents unique challenges for the blood supply,” said Abbie Arneson, territory representative for LifeServe Blood Center. She attributed the slump to school blood drives being on break, families traveling, and regular routines changing.
“While donations often decline during these months, the need for blood never slows down,” Arneson noted. “We have to work even harder to make sure there is enough blood on the shelves for local patients who depend on it every day, including patients at Avera Milbank Area Hospital.”
She credited Nycole and Jenna Korstjens for stepping forward to help meet that need. “Nycole and Jenna recognized a need in their community and chose to do something about it,” Arneson said. “The patients who receive these blood products will never know their names, but their hard work and commitment made a difference for families throughout our region. On behalf of LifeServe, the patients we serve, and their families, thank you for helping provide hope when it is needed most.”
LifeServe Blood Center encourages all eligible individuals to consider donating blood this summer. Just one donation can help multiple patients and plays a vital role in ensuring blood is available when emergencies happen.
The Korstjens sisters will host another blood drive on Monday, August 3, from Noon to 5:30 p.m. in the Milbank High School GTE Gym.
For more information about donating blood or hosting a blood drive, contact Abbie Arneson at abbie.arneson@lifeservebloodcenter.org or 605-626-1620.
Staff
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