SBMF urges residents of South Bend to donate blood as turnout plateaus during summer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Medical Foundation is urging residents to donate blood.

This time of year, is a usual low turnout for blood donation. Summer is a very busy time of year with vacations and fun events.

However, this unfortunately means less people to donate blood.

Colleen Hahn, Manager of Blood Donor Recruitment and Community Awareness tells ABC57 that donating blood is so important, especially when few are doing so.

She says that the demand for blood is always present in South Bend due to illnesses, accidents, and tragedies out of anybody's control.

A rather new site to donate blood exists in South Bend off East Ireland Road at the South Bend Medical Foundation facility.

You can donate blood here within 45 minutes, but the actual procedure lasts less than 10 minutes. It is a very quick process that can save up to two lives.

They usually see five donors a day at this site, so they are urging residents to come on out to help save lives.

Their goal is to get 75 donors a day at all South Bend Medical Foundation sites.

If you want to donate blood, they do take appointments or walk-ins.