Memorial Blood Centers to showcase its newest bloodmobile

Memorial Blood Centers is pleased to have the opportunity to showcase its newest bloodmobile next Tuesday morning, December 22, 2009 at the City of Duluth Employees Blood Drive. Following the conclusion of the blood drive at City Hall, there will be an open house at Memorial Blood Centers in Duluth from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

"This state-of-the-art vehicle replaces an aging and unreliable bloodmobile and will allow Memorial Blood Centers to serve the needs of 8,000 donors annually. That means this new vehicle will help us impact the lives of up to 24,000 people each year," said Donald C. Berglund, Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Blood Centers. "To meet the needs of over 30 hospital partners throughout Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, we face a demand for more than 2,700 units of blood every week -- and this new bloodmobile will allow us to better meet the needs of the people we serve."

"Every two seconds, someone needs blood," Berglund added. "And while donors may take time off during the holidays, the need for blood never takes a vacation. Donating blood -- the ultimate renewable resource -- is one way to give a life-saving gift to friends, family, or someone in the community as well. We encourage everyone in the Duluth/Superior area to roll up their sleeves and give a gift that requires no cash, no wrapping, and no bow -- you can help save a life."

The public is invited to make an appointment to donate blood at the City of Duluth Employees blood drive by visiting www.mbc.org or by calling Michele Keil at 218-740-1541. We also invite everyone to join us for the open house and refreshments from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at our Duluth donor center located at 5115 Burning Tree Plaza where they can see the new bloodmobile.