Whitefish community blood drive breaks record

The American Red Cross will host the first 2025 Whitefish Community Blood Drive on Thursday, Jan.16, at The WAVE at 1250 Baker Ave. from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  

The last blood drive on Nov. 21, 2024, broke Whitefish’s all-time high for pints collected at a single drive. There were 107 potential donors who checked in and the Red Cross collected 109 pints of blood, including Power Red donations. 

Blood donations typically decline at this time of year due to holiday schedules and weather conditions, but the need for blood never stops. The entire donation process takes about an hour including check-in, a brief health review, the actual drawing of blood and snack time.  

Appointments are recommended and a blood donor card or a driver license is required at check-in. To schedule your appointment for Jan. 16, please call Merry Lynn at 406-250-0146 or go online to www.redcrossblood.org and search for blood drives in the 59937 zip-code area.  

Walk-in donors are welcome; however, there could be a wait. It is recommended that donors eat a hardy meal and drink plenty of water prior to giving blood. Snacks, water and juices are provided for you at the blood drive. 

The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month. As a special thank-you to donors, those who come to give Jan.1-26, 2025, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX trip giveaway. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl. 

Additional upcoming blood donation opportunities in the Flathead include:  

Bigfork: Jan.22, 11 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Saint John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell Road. 

Columbia Falls: Jan. 13, 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Cedar Creek Lodge, Second Street West. 

Kalispell: Jan 14, 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., The Church at Creston-Lutheran, 5447 Highway 35; Jan. 15, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross Donor Center, 126 N. Meridian Road; Jan. 20, 1 - 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St.; and Jan. 24, 10 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., The Terraces at Buffalo Hill, 40 Claremont St. 

West Glacier: Jan. 23, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Glacier National Park Community Building, GNP Headquarters, 162 Mather Drive 

For more information visit www.redcrossblood.org.