Everyone loves summer — the warmer temperatures and extra free time make it the perfect season to be out and about. Unfortunately, summertime also sees a shortage of critical blood donations.

"There's really a big need right now in the summertime," said Bridget Aesoph, Blood Donor Recruiter at the UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Centers, in our "Tuned In to NoCo" interview. "From a recruitment standpoint, blood donations are really needed and they help save a life."

Thankfully, World Blood Donor Day (June 14) is raising awareness about this need. To celebrate, the Garth Englund Blood Center is hosting a blood drive and Guest Barista Day at The Human Bean Northern Colorado (821 N. College Ave.) in Fort Collins.

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Guests can donate blood from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day to receive a $10 gift card to The Human Bean. Slots won't last long — be sure to sign up here. 

Along with enjoying the gift card, donors can walk away knowing that they've helped save a human life.

"Blood donation is one of the biggest things somebody can do to save a life without having a lot of risk," said Aesoph. "The whole donation itself is...pretty brief. You save up to two lives in that time frame, so it's pretty powerful."

The Garth Englund Blood Center is always accepting blood donations, as well as platelet donations. Some eligibility requirements have also begun to shift. If you want to donate or have questions, contact donateblood@uchealth.org. 

Learn more about World Blood Donor Day and what it means for Northern Colorado by listening to the full "Tuned In to NoCo" interview with Bridget Aesoph below.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

 

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