Memorial Blood Centers Hosting Blood Drive At Science Museum

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Summer is typically a very busy time for most people between weddings and getting up to the lake.

But at Memorial Blood Centers that is not the case. Donations tend to go way down after the Fourth of July. Between weddings, vacations and going to the cabin, donating  blood simply isn't high on a lot of people's priority lists.

On Friday, WCCO-TV is team teaming up with Memorial Blood Centers and the Science Museum of Minnesota to host a blood drive. Part of the reason donations are down is because people are on vacation and don't keep their regular appointments.

"Plus schools are not in session and that makes up 13 percent of our supply so we need to make up that 13 percent so we always need blood. Especially now," said Wendy Capetz with Memorial Blood Centers.

The biggest demand is for type O-negative, which is the universal blood type.

If you'd like to help out and give blood, you can stop by the Science Museum in St. Paul from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday.

You can also register beforehand on our website at WCCO.com/blooddrive. The first 75 people to sign up will get free tickets to see the Science Museum's Real Pirates exhibit.