Lakeville Rotary Club attempting to hold record-breaking blood drive

The Lakeville Rotary Club is hoping to break a record by hosting the largest blood drive in the 73-year history of Memorial Blood Centers.

At Thursday’s annual blood drive, the Lakeville Rotary Club says they are hoping to have 300 donors sign up and give blood in order to break the current record of 250 donors set at a high school blood drive in 2019.

The Lakeville Rotary Club says the blood drive has grown every year since its first event in 2016 during which the group collected 27 units of blood. Last year’s blood drive was canceled due to the pandemic.

Blood from 300 donors has the potential to save 900 lives, according to Memorial Blood Centers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a national blood shortage due to many blood drives being canceled or postponed.

In addition to the Lakeville Rotary Club, the blood drive is also supported by the Lake Chamber of Commerce, Lakeville Community Schools, the City of Lakeville and Memorial Blood Centers.

Memorial Blood Centers serves people in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Lakeville Rotary Blood Drive

• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12
• Kenwood Trail Middle School gymnasium, 19455 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044
• All presenting donors will receive a limited-edition T-shirt and will be entered in a drawing to win Minnesota State Fair tickets, plus a Lakeville Rotary drawing to win special prizes.

All blood types are needed. Interested donors can schedule an appointment online or by calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253). Click here to schedule an appointment online.