LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Wednesday, March 19, the county of Lake is hosting a blood drive at the Lake County Courthouse at 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The blood draws will take place in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers on the first floor.

“This is something of tremendous value that costs nothing to give,” said District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, who also serves as the chair of the North Coast Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Committee.

The blood drive is the brain child of Assistant Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Mireya Turner.  

With so much negativity being reported on a daily basis, she thought it would be a good pick-me-up for the community.

“I started to think about things we could do in our community because when we step outside our own lives and do something that benefits others, it is a very empowering and positive experience,” said Turner.

Turner contacted the Blood Centers of the Pacific, which collects and distributes blood to 50 hospitals in the Northern California area, including Sutter Lakeside Hospital and St. Helena Clearlake Hospital here in Lake County.

During a 12-day period in January, blood collected by Blood Centers of the Pacific helped save the lives of more than 40 Northern California residents, ranging in ages from newborns to those in their 80s.

Each individual donation of blood has the ability to save up to three lives. Blood collected during this drive will be used locally in Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties.

Supervisor Brown says he’s proud of the residents in Lake County. “When you have a small community like ours, one of our major resources is the volunteers who are willing to give of themselves.”

Please call Sara Shucart at 707-263-2368 to schedule your appointment.

For more information or to schedule your appointment online, you can visit www.bloodheroes.com and click “Donate Blood” and enter the zip code: 95453.