The LaCrosse Loggers baseball club has teamed up with Tomah Memorial Hospital to help with blood supplies.  Residents can donate blood Thursday, March 12 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Tomah Memorial.

All attempting donors will get a voucher for a free ticket to a Logger’s home baseball game.

“We think it’s a responsibility that we have as a good civic member,” LaCrosse Loggers owner Dan Kapanke said of the participation. “There are so many people that step up to the plate, I’m just amazed that if there’s a cause, people seem to step up and it’s so refreshing to see that.”

BloodCenter of Wisconsin Blood Program Consultant Rich Rice said the BloodCenter needs to collect more than 800 units each day to meet the needs of patients in hospitals across the state.

“The BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the sole supplier of blood to about 70 percent of hospitals in Wisconsin including Tomah Memorial and the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center,” said Rice. “We host a blood drive every single day of the week so if that number dips well below 800 then we have to play catch up.”

Rice said to donate blood, a person must be in good health, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and have photo identification. Sixteen-year-olds may also donate with parental consent. Forms are available at Tomah Memorial, and online with the BloodCenter of Wisconsin at www.bcw.edu.

Donors can go online at www.tomahhospital.org to schedule an appointment for the March 12 drive.