Latest news with #FlyingforLifeBloodDrive
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blood drive breaks record for number of donations
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The 5th annual Flying for Life blood drive wrapped up Saturday with a record breaking total. The Flying for Life Blood Drive involved a friendly competition between Avera Careflight and Sanford AirMed — the winner being the team with the most blood donations. Sioux Falls graduation day Donors were encouraged to cast their donation 'vote' for either Sanford or Avera, and both organizations put it on to strengthen the local blood supply heading into the summer months. The winner receives bragging rights for the year and possession of the traveling trophy. The competition was close, with Sanford AirMed winning by merely two votes at 471 donations. Avera Careflight collected 469 donations, bringing this year's total to 940 –which exceeds all previous records for the blood drive, according to a press release. 'This event has surpassed all expectations, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming community support,' says Ken Versteeg, Executive Director of Community Blood Bank. The Community Blood Bank says these donations will go toward the community blood supply, which could save about 2,800 local lives. 'While life is unpredictable, blood donors' help us provide consistency in maintaining an adequate blood supply for our community.' Versteeg said. Those who weren't able to attend this year's event can still schedule a donation by visiting the Community Blood Bank website or calling (605) 331-3222. Ink, tattoos and mental health awareness Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Flying for Life' Blood Drive takes flight
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A friendly competition that's sure to save lives is looking to reach new heights this spring. The Flying for Life Blood Drive took flight Monday at KELO-TV, with the first of six days' worth of collection events. Dry, hot and windy weather impacting trees 'This friendly competition between Avera Careflight and Sanford AirMed began several years ago during COVID when we really didn't know where we were going to go with the ability to collect blood as we prepare for the summer months,' Community Blood Bank Executive Director Ken Versteeg said. Versteeg says the competition is also an opportunity to honor our high-flying first responders. 'I can't even describe the amount of stress that they go through every single day when they come to a site and they have an emergency that they have to address. These are the first people that see an individual and determine if they need a blood transfusion or not,' Versteeg said. There are six units of O-negative blood, also known as the universal donor and rarest of blood types, on every flight. 'Everybody that asks me my blood type, it's like 'O-negative' and they say 'oh, you're one of the lucky ones' (laughs),' Brandon resident Kathy Van Santen said. Van Santen is part of the 7% of the population with O-negative blood, but encourages everyone — whatever your blood type — to give. 'Because it's actually a needed thing in the communities, so yeah, if you're able, willing and able to do that, just give it a try, it's not that bad,' Van Santen said. And the timing of Flying for Life is no mistake. Community Blood Bank requires 550 units of blood every week to meet the needs of its local hospitals, and finding donors during the summer can prove difficult. 'This is the time of year where people forget about donating blood because their lives are so busy with the graduation ceremonies and then the vacations and then they might have family activities outside, but take the time to donate a unit of blood,' Versteeg said. It could save a life. The Flying for Life Blood Drive continues at 7 on Tuesday morning at GreatLIFE at Avera McKennan Fitness Center in Sioux Falls. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The rising need for blood donors in Sioux Falls
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Starting next week, you can help the Community Blood Bank save lives. The Flying for Life Blood Drive returns Monday. Those wishing to donate blood can stop outside of the KELOLAND News station between 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or between 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Gov. Rhoden talks first 100 days in office 'It's a fun competition between the Avera CareFlight and Sanford AirMed. This was started actually during COVID when we really were looking for blood donors,' Community Blood Bank executive director Ken Versteeg said. Community Blood Bank staff are hoping to break last year's record of 850 donations. Just one donation can go a long way. 'One pint of blood goes to save up to three lives because there are three components that are separated out after we receive the blood back at the hospital, and each of those components can go to a different person,' Community Blood Bank program coordinator Lauri Hoffmann said. Organizers said the need for donors during the summertime increases when more people are traveling. 'When we would wind up using blood, in situations of a car accident or maybe a water accident or something like that, we always want to be prepared,' Versteeg said. There's also a growing need in Sioux Falls as the city's population goes up. 'It's really definitely increased the amount of blood that's required for our hospital patients,' Versteeg said. 'The last three years, we've grown about 15%.' Those hoping to donate must weight at least 110 pounds, or be in good health. Individuals must also be at least 16 years old, with parent's consent. A full list of times and locations and information on how to sign up for the 5th annual Flying for Life Blood Drive is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
