Rodeo Blood Drive This Thursday, April 26th | Community Spirit

The Clovis Rodeo Association, KISS Country Radio and the Central California Blood Center are preparing for the 12th Annual Rodeo Blood Drive and inviting the community to ride on in and take part in a great, western life-saving tradition on Thursday, April 26.  Whether you arrive dressed in your cowboy/cowgirl “duds” or your Rodeo commemorative T-shirt from a previous year; the Blood Center and the Clovis Rodeo Association invite you to take just an hour from your day to “help patients in Valley hospitals get back in the saddle again.” (Since the very first Rodeo Blood Drive in 2001, 10,000 folks have attended and registered to donate.)

“This blood drive, after a decade, has become a tradition that is very special to the Central Valley.  So, please come out and enjoy the ‘rodeo experience’ before anyone else and you can ‘ride away’ knowing you helped save someone’s life,“ said Dean Eller, President and CEO of the Central California Blood Center.  “We promise this year’s blood drive, just like the rodeo, will be the best one yet.”

To take part, just stop by the Clovis Rodeo Grounds from 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or one of the five Central California Blood Center locations between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Porterville Donor Center).  Each donor will receive a commemorative Rodeo T-shirt, Clovis Rodeo discounts, and delicious treats for every donor provided by generous area businesses.  At the Rodeo Grounds, meet champion cowboys, rodeo royalty and special guests who will visit throughout the drive.

Donors can also give at Central California Blood Centers & receive the T-shirts and rodeo discounts: 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the following locations:
 

Jenny Eller Donor Center - 4343 W. Herndon               

Fresno  - 3445 N. First       

North - Fresno 1010 E. Perrin           

Visalia - 1515 S. Mooney Blvd.

Porterville - 93 N. Main Street

Blood donation takes less than one hour to complete. Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 years old with written parental consent). Senior citizens are encouraged to donate, as there is no upper age limit. Donors should eat a good meal and drink plenty of water within 4 hours prior to their donation. Donors can give blood every eight weeks. Photo ID and Social Security Number are required at donor registration.

The Central California Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 31 hospitals in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa Counties and must collect between 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood a month to meet the needs of our Valley community.