Santa Maria Sun / News

Welcome Labor Day with your veins

BY RYAN MILLER

It seems to happen just before every major holiday, but its frequency doesn’t make it trivial: United Blood Services is looking for donors to ensure an ample blood supply.

This time around, the organization is particularly seeking people with Type O coursing through their veins to help fill needs over the Labor Day weekend and following days. Not sure what your type is? You can find out when you donate.

Centers are open Monday (closed Labor Day, though) through Friday—until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Keep an eye out for community blood drives, too.

Blood donors will get points to be used toward movie tickets and other prizes. If donors make an appointment ahead of time, they’ll nab an additional 100 points. Pairing those points with a subsequent donation will yield enough for a pint of ice cream.

The United Blood Services Center in Santa Maria is at 1770 S. Broadway.

For more information or to make an appointment, visit blood4life.org or call the Santa Maria center at 928-2546.

Donors 16 and younger will need a parental permission slip; visit unitedbloodservices.org.

Executive Editor Ryan Miller compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send ideas or comments to rmiller
@santamariasun.com.