Reminder: Portola Blood Drive today Feb. 11

A blood drive will be held in Portola today, Feb. 11,  from noon to 6 p.m. at the Catholic Community Hall, 100 North Pine St..

Although walk-ins are welcome, organizers prefer that you make an appointment. To schedule an appointment, visit vitalant.org.  If you need more information or assistance scheduling an appointment, call Auxiliary Member Pandora Valle at 832-0347.

The Eastern Plumas Health Care Auxiliary has sponsored the Portola blood drives for many years. The Auxiliary now works with Vitalent of Reno, Nevada.

There is a critical need for blood donations. Every day, Vitalant needs to collect about 5,300 donations to help save lives. Many schools and workplaces responding to the omicron variant have had to cancel planned blood drives just weeks or even days ahead of time and are unable to immediately reschedule. Seasonal illnesses can significantly reduce blood drives and donor availability with little notice, but donated blood must continually be on hand before each patient need arises. That’s why it’s especially important this time of year for donors who are healthy and eligible to donate.  Blood donation is an essential activity that must continue.