Blood drive set for Jan. 9 in Monroe

A Prairie City & Monroe Community Blood Drive is scheduled for 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at the United Methodist Church located at 407 N. Monroe St. in Monroe.

Eligible donors must be at least 16 years of age, be in general good health and weigh at least 120 pounds.

Since 1970, January has been designated National Blood Donor Month to remind the public about the importance of donating blood. The Blood Center of Iowa encourages everyone to give blood two or more times a year and to make helping others through blood donation a life-long habit. January can be an especially difficult blood collection month, as donor turnout is traditionally lower than normal due to poor weather conditions and the cold and flu season.

Blood donors who make blood donations during January will receive a special reward of double points to spend at The Blood Center of Iowa’s Online Store. The Blood Center’s Online Store, found at www.bloodcenterofiowa.org, features a wide variety of practical gifts and clothing items for blood donors. Every blood donor earns points for their blood donations that can be spent on various incentive items.

January is also a time to thank blood donors for the vital role they play in providing a safe and adequate blood supply to hospitals within their communities.

The Blood Center provides blood and blood products to 46 hospitals in 44 Iowa counties. For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call (800) 287-4903 or visit www.bloodcenterofiowa.org.