Annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive critical to patient care in Avera St. Mary’s region

NOVEMBER 30, 2023:

Team Hoses takes the lead after first day of 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns ‘n Hoses Blood Drive; Event continues in Pierre today and tomorrow

The firefighters took the lead over law enforcement 90 to 57 after the first day of the 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns and Hoses Blood Drive yesterday (Nov. 29, 2023) in Fort Pierre.

A total of 147 people signed up to donate, 20 more than on the first day of last year’s blood drive. 148 units of blood were collected. This year’s goal is 515 units. With one donation, you can impact up to three lives.

Nettie Barto with LifeServe Blood Center says there aren’t as many restrictions making people ineligible to donate as there used to be.

She says there shouldn’t be much waiting time as they brought in extra staff for this event.

Today and tomorrow the blood drive is at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre.

Thursday from noon-5:30pm

Friday from 8am-1:30pm

In January 2022, Avera switched it’s blood supplier from Vitalant to LifeServe, making LifeServe the only supplier of blood and blood products for all of Avera’s hospitals in South Dakota– including the ones in Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre.

Blood donors who would like to transfer their lifetime blood donation records from other blood collection entities to LifeServe, may do so by going to lifeserve.info/transfer .

NOVEMBER 29, 2023:

The 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive begins today (Nov. 29, 2023) at the Fort Pierre Fire Hall and continues tomorrow and Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre.

This year’s goal is 515 units. Last year’s event collected 434 units of blood over three days.

LifeServe Blood Center Territory Representative Abbie Arneson says having a local blood supply available is important because we never know when an accident may happen.

The Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive hours and locations are:

Wednesday, Nov. 29 from noon-5:30pm CT at the Fort Pierre Fire Hall

Thursday, Nov. 30 from noon-5:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre

Friday, Dec. 1 from 8am-1:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre

To schedule an appointment for the Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive, go to www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 605-626-1620.

NOVEMBER 28, 2023:

The 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive begins tomorrow (Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2023) in Fort Pierre and continues Thursday and Friday in Pierre.

Lab Director for the Avera St. Mary’s Region Kristin Hawkinson says she tries to keep a variety of blood types on hand.

Hawkinson says blood has a limited amount of time it can wait to be used, so she has to rotate their supply.

But, before the blood can get to the hospital, LifeServe Blood Center Territory Representative Abbie Arneson says each unit donated is tested for a variety of things.

While you’ll likely never know exactly who receives the blood you donate, Arneson says LifeServe lets you know when your blood is on its way to help someone.

The Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive hours and locations are:

Wednesday, Nov. 29 from noon-5:30pm CT at the Fort Pierre Fire Hall

Thursday, Nov. 30 from noon-5:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre

Friday, Dec. 1 from 8am-1:30pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre

To schedule an appointment for the Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive, go to www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 605-626-1620.

In January 2022, LifeServe Blood Center replaced Vitalant as the only supplier of blood and blood products for all of Avera’s hospitals in South Dakota– including the ones in Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre.

Blood donors who would like to transfer their lifetime blood donation records from other blood collection entities to LifeServe, may do so by going to lifeserve.info/transfer .

NOVEMBER 22, 2023:

The 19th annual Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive is next week (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) in Fort Pierre and Pierre.

In January 2022, LifeServe Blood Center replaced Vitalant as the only supplier of blood and blood products for all of Avera’s hospitals in South Dakota– including the ones in Gettysburg, Miller and Pierre.

LifeServe Blood Center Territory Representative Abbie Arneson says LifeServe’s name recognition is growing throughout the region.

Lab Director for the Avera St. Mary’s Region Kristin Hawkinson says the blood and blood products LifeServe collects are a vital part of treatment for some injuries and a variety of illnesses.

Hawkinson says one tragedy can use up their entire blood supply.

To schedule an appointment for next week’s Tyler Wilcox Memorial Guns n’ Hoses Blood Drive, go to www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 605-626-1620.

Blood donors who would like to transfer their lifetime blood donation records from other blood collection entities to LifeServe, may do so by going to lifeserve.info/transfer .