BROOKINGS – Summer blood donations are down, and blood usage is up due to higher volumes of surgeries, emergencies and traumas.

Community Blood Bank and Brookings Health System are asking for help to increase the blood supply to strengthen supplies to the end of summer.

Brookings Health System will host a blood drive from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 at 300 22nd Ave. Donors can schedule their donations by calling 605-696-8048. Information regarding donating blood can be found at cbblifeblood.org. All who donate will receive a Dairy Queen gift card.

“We are reaching a point where we cannot keep up with the demand for blood and are experiencing a sharp decline in overall donations,” said Ken Versteeg, executive director of Community Blood Bank. “Local volunteers are the only way we will improve the overall blood supply for local patients. Community Blood Bank has been the sole blood provider to Brookings Health System and 34 other local area medical centers for over 25 years. The Brookings community has continued to come out to improve the outlook for the local blood supply, and it is our hope we can have a very successful turnout this time. Please plan on donating blood on Aug. 16 at this community blood drive.”

Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health. Donors exhibiting cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate. A valid identification is required at the time of registration. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating blood.

For additional information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org.