Northwest’s Student Senate and the Community Blood Center annually coordinate a series of blood drives on the University campus. Their spring blood drive is April 20-21. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University’s Student Senate will coordinate its annual spring blood drive with the Community Blood Center April 20-21.

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, located on the third floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Interested donors should use the group code CZ to reserve an appointment at savealifenow.org/group; walk-ins also will be accepted on the days of the blood drive.

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

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.

The University 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 recognized Northwest as one of its top blood donors for 2018-2019.

“Giving blood is a salient and selfless action,” Joseph Etheridge, a Student Senate senior class representative and civic service chair, said. “The Community Blood Center has been experiencing an ongoing shortage of blood, which significantly limits what doctors can do to help individuals. Blood donations essentially save lives and make the world brighter.”

For more information, contact Etheridge at 660.562.1218 or s533247@nwmissouri.edu or the Community Blood Center at 800.245.7035.