Blood Donor Center: “Pies for Pints” This Week

Finding enough blood donors to sustain an adequate blood supply is a challenge at any time of the year. Add in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and that task becomes even more difficult. To help boost the blood supply this holiday season, the Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) Blood Donor Center is giving away free apple or pumpkin pies to the first 20 donors who donate a pint of blood on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Nov. 23.

“Emergencies occur every day in our community, and the blood supply must be constantly replenished – lives depend on it,” said AVMC Blood Services Coordinator Ellen Gaines. “Donating blood is a quick, no-cost way to help others this holiday season.”

Every donor receives a free cholesterol test, and all blood collected will be used for patients at Antelope Valley Medical Center. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to give a pint of blood, but donors should plan to spend about an hour in order to complete the entire process.

The AVMC Blood Donor Center is located on the hospital’s campus in the Antelope Valley Outpatient Imaging Center at 44105 15th Street West, Suite 305, at the intersection of 15th Street West and Avenue J-5. Though the Blood Donor Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, its 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.