Siouxland Community Blood Bank needs summer heroes

The Heroes Unite, It's about Life campaign is currently underway with volunteer blood donors that donate with the Siouxland Community Blood Bank. With the help of local fire, police and rescue squads, this recruitment campaign is encouraging citizens to become regular volunteer blood donors during the summer months to help prepare for the blood needs of 36 area hospitals.

The Heroes Unite, It's About Life campaign is a competition for all communities to take part in and runs from May 1 to Sept. 30, during which the blood bank will be conducting blood drives throughout the tri-state area.

The top three communities with the highest percentage of blood donors registering to donate in comparison to the combined size of their fire, police and rescue squads will be honored by the Siouxland Community Blood Bank and given a monetary award of up to $1,000 to go towards community fire and rescue equipment. The award has been provided through corporate sponsorship from Cargill Inc., Prestige Collision Repair and McClintock Insurance.

If you are donating in a different community, you can still give your home town credit for the Heroes Unite, It's About Life contest. When you register to donate blood, just let the Siouxland Community Blood Bank employee know which community you would like to give credit to that day.

Your next opportunity to donate in Vermillion is Friday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wal-Mart.

To be eligible to donate blood, individuals must be at least 17 years of age; however, there is no upper age limit as long as the donor is in good health. In addition ,donors need to weigh over 110 pounds and have not donated whole blood in the past 56 days.