RAPID CITY, S.D. —  Vitalant’s 9th annual Community Heroes Blood Drive has come to Uptown Rapid this weekend giving people the chance to save lives and win prizes.

The event is hosted every year in January as a way to help offset the shortage of donations during the holiday season. Vitalant says they’re getting under a two-day supply of blood, which is desperately needed to serve the community.

9th annual Vitalant Community Heroes Blood Drive: an opportunity to save lives and win prizes

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Communications Manager Tori Robbins says they also try to encourage participants to begin donating regularly.

“We really need to make sure we see people coming and donating – not only right now but in the weeks and months to come. It’s that consistent blood supply that is needed because people are consistently using blood,” Robbins says.

And if you need a little more incentive, everyone that donates gets a “community heroes” t-shirt and is automatically entered to win a 65-inch flat screen TV.

The process is generally quick: a short interview, eight to 10 minutes to donate, and an observation period after.

“About an hour beginning to end and you truly will save somebody’s life,” Robbins says.

The blood drive continues Saturday, January 8 from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the skylight area near JCPenney’s.

CLICK HERE for a link to schedule an appointment.

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