The communities of Britton and Langford recently demonstrated their strong commitment to saving lives through two successful blood drives. These efforts highlight the importance of blood donation and the impact that dedicated donors have on patients in need.
On March 24, Britton-Hecla High School’s Biology II class hosted a blood drive that resulted in the collection of 30 units of blood—enough to sustain or save up to 90 lives. A remarkable 27 first-time donors participated, reinforcing the vital role high school blood drives play in introducing young individuals to blood donation.
“Having 27 new donors participate is truly significant,” said Abbie Arneson, Territory Representative for LifeServe Blood Center. “With less than 3% of the population donating blood, it is crucial to encourage students to begin early. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. requires a transfusion, and it is through events like this that we can meet those needs.”
The Langford Community Blood Drive, held on March 18, also saw strong participation, with 19 donors contributing 23 units of blood—potentially aiding up to 69 patients. This event underscored the continued generosity of Langford residents and their dedication to ensuring a stable blood supply for local healthcare facilities, including Marshall County Healthcare Center Avera.
“Communities like Langford play an essential role in meeting the needs of patients in the 41 hospitals we serve across South Dakota,” Arneson noted. “We are especially proud to recognize first-time donors and those who have reached impressive gallon milestones.”
LifeServe acknowledges first-time donors Elizabeth Gustafson and Jennifer Gustafson, as well as gallon milestone donors Elroy Olson and Victoria Hoines, who have each reached the one-gallon mark, and Joel Erickson, who has donated two gallons. LifeServe also reminds donors that those who have previously donated with other providers can transfer their lifetime donations to LifeServe. More details can be found at lifeserve.info/transfer
Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities
The next blood drive in Britton will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the Britton Events Center. This event is sponsored by the Britton Action Club and Britton Lions Club. For more information, contact Jesse Bolzer at 605-252-0971.
The Langford blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Langford Evangelical Lutheran Church. For more details, contact JaKelle Hardy at 605-470-0154.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org.
