Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program hosts ‘Pints for Preemies’ blood donation challenge

(ABC 6 News) – Thursday is World Prematurity Day and the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program is helping to raise awareness by hosting a ‘Pints for Preemies’ blood donation challenge.

Mayo says each year around 15 million babies around the world are born preterm with many requiring lifesaving blood transfusions.

Throughout the month of November, Mayo says they encourage anyone who can to donate blood to help promote the blood donor program and raise awareness for the need of blood for premature babies. As an incentive, all donors through November 23 will be entered into a drawing to win a private dining experience at a local restaurant with a winner being announced on November 28.

Anyone from the community (16 years or older) can donate at either of the two donation sites below.

• Mayo Clinic
  Hilton Building, First Floor
  210 2nd St. SW
  Rochester, MN
  
• Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus
  Joseph Building, Main Floor, Room M-86
  1216 2nd St. SW
  Rochester, MN

The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center will be closed on November 24 (Thanksgiving Day) and will be open until 2:00 p.m. on November 25. Call 507-284-4475 to schedule an appointment.

Mayo says the goal of this challenge is to save lives through blood donation and to build community relationships and awareness about the life-changing impact local blood donors can have.