Ascension Wisconsin Spirit Medical Transport is hosting a blood drive next week to help the Community Blood Center get badly needed blood supplies.

Ascension EMS Outreach Coordinator Matt Thompson tells us more..

"We wanted to help the Community Blood Center and the communities we serve once we learned that many of our local blood drives were canceled over the last few months due to the pandemic. So we wanted to host a blood drive and help them out, so we're doing so on Tuesday, August 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at our Spirit 2 helicopter hanger on the campus of Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff...."

Thompson says they're making an extra effort so donation can be done safely with personal protective equipment. He says one donation can save up to three lives. He says the donation also helps the Spirit aircraft and ambulances...

"We like to have as many tools as possible in our ambulances and aircraft available for patients losing large amounts of blood. That could be due to a trauma situation or a gastrointestinal situation, anywhere where you are losing large amounts of blood. Everyone of our ambulances and aircraft carry two units of "O"-negative blood..."

Thompson says to schedule an appointment, contact Community Blood Center or Spirit. You can also register online at communityblood.org. Walk-in donations are welcome based on availability.

See more here:

Ascension To Host Blood Drive Next Week At HYMC - WXPR