EVENTS

• American Red Cross blood drives: To make an appointment or for more information, download the Red Cross blood donor app, visit redcrossblood.org, call 800-733-2767 or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Monday, Sept. 21: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hibbing Armory/National Guard, 2310 Brooklyn Drive, Hibbing.
Tuesday, Sept. 22: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mesabi Family YMCA, 8367 Unity Drive, Virginia.

Wednesday, Sept. 23: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Red Cross-Northland Chapter, 2524 Maple Grove Road.

Thursday, Sept. 24: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Red Cross-Northland Chapter, 2524 Maple Grove Road.

Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations. With hurricanes affecting blood donations in the southern United States and COVID-19 impacting up to 50% of blood drives, blood donors are urgently needed to help maintain a stable supply of blood for local hospital patients. Plus, September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is the most common blood disease in the U.S. Patients sometimes need frequent blood transfusions and can suffer severe side effects from receiving blood from multiple donors. MBC is looking for eligible donors to enroll in the Sickle Cell Donor Program to match patients with specially typed donors. Learn more at MBC.ORG/sicklecell . The need for blood is constant, but the supply is not. To help in the fight against COVID-19, the FDA has updated some eligibility guidelines—some donors who were previously deferred might now be eligible to give. Check eligibility and schedule an appointment at MBC.ORG or call 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).

Blood donation is safe and essential, and MBC has a COVID-19 self-screening policy in addition to general eligibility guidelines. In general, you may be eligible to donate if you are:

- In good health

- 17 years or older— or 16 with written parental consent (PDF available on MBC.ORG )

- At least 110 pounds

- Free of antibiotics for 24 hours, unless taken for preventative reasons

- Symptom-free for at least 72 hours following a cold or flu

MBC also continues to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma at all metro donor centers. While there is no proven treatment, it is possible that convalescent plasma, which has antibodies against the virus, could help patients with serious or life-threatening infections. Learn more at ( MBC.ORG/CPdonor ).

• The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores in Duluth are running a “Fudge for Troops” promotion throughout the month of September to benefit U.S. Military Personnel from the Duluth area who are serving overseas. We have teamed up with the Lake Superior Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America to provide free fudge for care packages to be sent to service men and women stationed outside the U.S. In the month of September, for every customer who purchases one pound of fudge at either the Canal Park or Miller Mall store locations, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory will send a free matching pound of their hand made fudge to our troops overseas. The care packages will be sent out in time for the holiday season.