Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Because many blood drives have had to cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic and blood supplies are critically low, healthy blood donors are needed.

The American Red Cross blood drive at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will be held as scheduled from 1-6 p.m. on April 13 in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium. In an effort to thank people for their donations, the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center are giving people who donate one bottle of maple syrup that was made this spring at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

The Red Cross has been working to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and donors. Staff and volunteers will wear PPE. New procedures will also include taking the temperatures of all staff, volunteers, and donors upon arrival.

Additionally, staff will disinfect beds, chairs, etc. between donors. These extra procedures may limit the Red Cross’s ability to accommodate walk-in donations. To ensure donations, please schedule in advance at: www.redcrossblood.org/give. Donors with appointments that are no longer able to give should cancel their appointments.