Upcoming Clark County Versiti Blood Drives

Tuesday, July 21st, 2026 -- 2:00 PM

With the summer season upon us, the blood supply always takes a hit due to busy schedules and increased need.

Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is hosting some local blood drives to help our local supply and giving donors an opportunity to get tickets to the 2026 Clark County Fair! I spoke with Erin Hennes and Jamie Elmhorst with Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin and they discussed the blood supply and some upcoming area donation opportunities in more detail.

Listen to the interview with Erin and Jamie here!

Again, if you’d like to learn more about Versiti or the upcoming blood drives, you can go to https://www.versiti.org/.

(AI assisted transcription via Otter.ai)

Erin: "This time of the year, the blood supply generally dips as we go into the summer months when the schools are out and everybody is out doing their thing and maybe on vacation, so more are not donating blood."

"We also tend to see a rise in the usage of blood, where, you know, people maybe get a little bit more reckless in the summer. They're out on motorcycles and bikes and we just tend to use the blood supply a little bit more."

"When we get to be about this time of year, we see where our O negs and our blood really takes a dip, and so we need more people to step up to donate, so that we have a safe supply at our local hospitals."

Riley: "Speaking of that, Versiti is a major blood supplier for our local hospitals, correct?"

Erin: "Absolutely. So, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin supplies blood for 90% of the hospitals in the state of Wisconsin, 60% of which we are their only blood supplier, which includes Marshfield Clinic Health System."

"So, we are your local blood supplier there in Neillsville and in Marshfield. We also supply all of the VA hospitals in the state. Our blood stays local, so it's not sent to other states, so a lot of times you could be donating blood to a neighbor."

"The wonderful thing about donating blood with Versiti is that when you're done, and that blood is going to be used in real time, you can get an email or a text from the organization telling you where your blood is being used."

"So, It's wonderful to get a text two weeks later after you've donated blood and had your cookie and everything and you find out you sent your unit to Children's Hospital Wisconsin to a kiddo that needed it there, where we're the only blood supplier for them. So, that is that is where we shine. We shine with our local neighbors and friends."

Riley: "So, now there are some upcoming opportunities for people to donate blood. Could you talk about those?"

Erin: "We are fortunate enough to purchase or to be able to purchase Clark County fair tickets. So, we're going to do a little push here in the next couple weeks in the Neilsville area for for fair tickets, so we're hoping that it'll help people come out and try donating blood at least for one time."

"So, we have four of them coming up in the next couple weeks:

• On Wednesday, July 29th, we'll be hosting at Apple Valley Roadhaus from 12pm to 4:30pm;
• Thursday, July 30th, we'll be at Zion Lutheran Church in Granton from 11am to 4pm;
• On Wednesday, August 5th, we'll be at St. Mary's Catholic Church from 11:30am to 4pm;
• And then on Thursday, August 6th, we'll be at the Marshfield Clinic there in Nealsville from 11am to 3pm.

Lots of opportunities."

Riley: "Can you talk about the donation process?"

Jamie: "We ask that all of our donors eat a healthy meal or drink plenty of water before donating. And when you arrive, all you'll need is your driver's license and then we'll take it from there."

"So, during the donation process, we'll do essentially a mini physical: check your blood pressure, your temperature, your hemoglobin, and your pulse. Make sure those all pass within the acceptable ranges."

"And then you'll have to do a lengthy questionnaire, 50 questions that are all health-related questions regulated by the FDA to make sure that what we're collecting is safe to give those patients in the hospital and then from there you'll go out to the donation area and you'll donate your blood, which takes maybe 10 minutes unless we can talk you into giving something a little bit more on our automated machines."

"But from start to finish, the whole donation process is an hour and then we won't let you leave before we give you some chips or cookies or some juice or water. Make sure you're hydrated and feeling well before you hit the road."

Riley: "Now, if there's some individuals out there that maybe they're unable to donate blood, but they would still like to help out, is there a way for them to do that?"

Jamie: "Yeah, we're always looking for volunteers. So, if anybody wants to volunteer at a blood drive with, you know, just greeting our donors or taking care of them in the cafe area once they've donated that's always a big help."

"Or if you're interested in hosting a blood drive as well, with your church or any local organizations that you're a part of, that's another great way to give back, by hosting a blood drive."

Riley: "If there are some individuals out there that would just like to learn more about Versiti, or some upcoming blood drives, where's a good place for them to go to do that?"

Jamie: "Yeah, the best place is versitiorg. That will give you a great insight into who we are and what we do for the state of Wisconsin and more so locally right here in Central Wisconsin."

Riley: "Anyting else to add?"

Erin: "The only thing I'd add is that it's the easiest way for you to find out what your blood type is. So, if you ever wondered, this would be a wonderful way to to find out. And you don't know unless you try. So, I always encourage everybody to try to donate at least one time to say at least you tried."

(Image courtesy of Versiti Blood Center)

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.