In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital invites the community to give thanks by giving blood during its annual “Pie for a Pint” blood drive on Thursday, November 17, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the HMNMH/COC Clinical Education Center on the Henry Mayo Hospital campus.

“During this time of giving thanks, this provides the perfect opportunity for people to express appreciation for their good health and help those less fortunate,” said Rashida Soni, MD, medical director pathology and laboratory services.

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital partners with the American Red Cross to host six blood drives each year on the hospital campus.

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Everyone who donates blood during the “Pie for a Pint” blood drive will receive a freshly baked holiday pie. Donors will also receive two tickets to the Laugh Factory, a Cold Stone creamery coupon for a free creation, and will be entered into a region-wide drawing for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree

“Our blood drives coincide with times of the year when blood volumes typically run low,” Dr. Soni said. “Our goal is to always have blood available when there is a need, emergent or otherwise.”

Blood collected at Henry Mayo is processed by the American Cross and dedicated to the hospital. That means that the blood is returned to the hospital for patient use.  The process is simple, takes approximately one hour and the need is constant.

In addition to on-campus blood drives, the American Red Cross also hosts drives throughout the community with dozens of businesses, schools, and community organizations. The blood collected at these hospital affiliate drives is also dedicated to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. For each unit of blood collected at these drives, the hospital receives a credit towards its hospital blood purchases. It’s an incentive for the hospital and gives donors another great way of helping the hospital.

To make an appointment, please call (661) 253-8888 or register online at redcrossblood.org and enter in sponsor code henrymayo. For more information or to host a blood drive at your organization, call (661) 200-1306.

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