Carson City United Blood Services needs blood donations to meet summer demand

United Blood Services Nevada needs to collect more than 9,500 pints of blood and platelets before May 31 to keep a steady and ample supply.

Memorial Day is the beginning of summer for the Blood Bank, when donations decrease just as the demand increases. United Blood Services is issuing a 9,500 Donations Summer Kick-off Challenge, in which it’s thanking donors with a pint of ice cream courtesy of Model Dairy at all fixed site locations in Carson City, Reno and Sparks.

Blood donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply for donors age 22 and younger.

United Blood Services, 256 E. Winnie Lane, is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays; from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays; from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays; and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The facility is closed Thursdays and Sundays.

To make an appointment, call 775-324-6454; or go to at www.Blood4Life.org and click on “Donate Blood” and type in your zip code to find a list of drives nearby. Walk-in appointments are also accepted.

For more information, go to UnitedBloodServices.org.