Red Cross blood drives every day at State Fair

Come late Summer, all roads for Minnesotans lead to the State Fair.

Red Cross is continuing its decade-long blood drive tradition at the Minnesota State Fair. The goal is to collect 100 units of blood every day of the 12-day event. One unit of blood can potentially save three people’s lives.

Why the State Fair?

Many fair-goers now notice for the stand-out bloodmobile for what has now become for some an “annual State Fair family blood donation tradition,” says Sue Thesenga, Communications Manager for the American Red Cross North Central Blood Services, covering a region with all of Minnesota and parts of Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Each such blood donation is coupled with a beautiful backstory says Sue, who recounts one such story of two friends who had never donated before decided to give together when they saw the Red Cross bloodmobile outside the Agriculture and Horticulture Building. Last year they were back to have their engagement photo taken next to the bloodmobile. Turns out, he was just her type!

The couple has given blood together twice since that first State Fair date, including a donation the day after they were engaged. They say it’s a fun way to celebrate, says Sue.

There are many similar stories of like one of a mother and daughter who have made it their annual fun activity together.  There are some who have had perfect attendance, having not missed a single State Fair blood drive.

It seems donating blood at the State Fair goes hand-in-hand with cookies, cheese-curds and corn-dogs.

Story by Sohini Sarkar, American Red Cross