The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program is having a "Pints for Preemies" blood-donation challenge, which is a push for people to donate blood for Mayo's smallest and youngest patients.
According to Justin Kreuter, M.D., Medical Director of Mayo’s Blood Donor Program, "Premature babies are often recipients of blood transfusions because they need a little extra help as they get started in life as they're premature, and for others, there's a medical condition that causes them to need transfusions . . . if somebody doesn't come and donate, we don't have blood products on the shelf, and we don't have them when these babies need them."
The challenge ends November 17, which is World Prematurity Day.
To donate to the challenge, check in at the Blood Donor Center in the Mayo Clinic Hilton Building with the team name "Pints for Preemies" to have your donation count toward the challenge.