Antelope Valley Medical Center Invites Blood Donors to Give Blood During Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

(LANCASTER, Calif.) — The Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) Blood Donor Center and the City of Lancaster are urging residents to participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 16. The event is inspired by Dr. King’s quote “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

The AVMC Blood Donor Center will hold a blood drive that day as part of the day of service from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Please inform the blood donor staff you are there to participate in the MLK Day of Service. Donors unable to participate on the day of are welcome to donate blood during normal business hours any time before and after as well. No appointment is necessary and walk-ins are welcome.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a wonderful opportunity for members of the community to come together in the spirit of service to support each other and give back,” said Ellen Gaines, AVMC Blood Donor Center coordinator. “Donating blood is fast and easy, and all blood collected at the center stays right here in our community.”

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood. First time donors must present a driver’s license or state ID. The donation takes only about 5-10 minutes but allow one hour for the whole process.

As a special way of thanking AVMC blood donors, from now until Jan. 31 each donor will receive a free cholesterol test and a free t-shirt (while supplies last).

The AVMC Blood Donor Center is located on the hospital’s campus in the Antelope Valley Outpatient Imaging Center (AVOIC) at 44105 15th Street West, Suite 305 (the intersection of 15th Street West and Avenue J-5). Regular hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesdays from 7 a.m.-4 p.m., and the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, or donors can make an appointment by calling 661-949-5622.

About Antelope Valley Medical Center

Antelope Valley Medical Center, a 420-bed district hospital located in the city of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County, has been serving the community for more than 60 years. The area’s only full-service hospital, AVMC provides a full array of medical/surgical services, pediatric treatment, NICU, mental health, cancer care and more. It is a Level II trauma center, Accredited Chest Pain Center and Advanced Primary Stroke Center. More information is available at www.AVMC.org or by calling 661-949-5000. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/antelopevalleyhospital.