Northwest, which has sponsored blood drives for more than 45 years and has earned a reputation for its outstanding commitment to supporting blood donation in the region, will host its annual winter blood drive Feb. 10-11 in the Student Union. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University’s Student Senate will sponsor its annual winter blood drive Feb. 10-11 in cooperation with the Community Blood Center.

Northwest students, employees and community members are invited to donate blood between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Tower View Room on the third floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Interested participants should use the group code CZ to reserve an appointment at savealifenow.org/group.

The Community Blood Center is the primary supplier of blood and blood components in the region, serving more than 65 local hospitals and medical centers. Student Senate annually sponsors fall, winter and spring blood drives in cooperation with the Community Blood Center to boost blood supplies in northwest Missouri.

Blood from volunteer donors assists cancer patients recovering from the rigors of chemotherapy, vehicle crash victims needing blood for emergency surgeries and mothers needing blood as the result of traumatic birth deliveries. It is estimated three lives are saved with every unit collected.

“Giving blood has long been an important, necessary service to aid those in need,” Joseph Etheridge, a Student Senate junior class representative and civic service chair, said. “This is true even more so today because the Community Blood Center is experiencing a blood shortage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have previously had the virus, giving blood helps those in need develop antibodies to return to health.”

Northwest has sponsored blood drives for more than 45 years and has a reputation for its outstanding commitment to supporting blood donation in the region. The Community Blood Center honored Northwest as one of its top blood donors of 2018. Additionally, in 2015 and 2016, the Community Blood Center recognized Northwest as the top university among participating institutions in the region.

For more information, contact Etheridge at s533247@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1218.