OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Bridge View Center is still performing their 20^th annual Media Blood Drive, in which KTVO is a proud sponsor.

The event started this morning, running from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m, with a goal of obtaining 85 pints of blood.

“We’ve seen a lot of generous, volunteer blood donors coming out, which is really important because this time of year, sometimes it’s harder than at other times to find donors,” said Kirby Winn, of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. “Schools are out of session, people go on vacation, but a lot of people are coming today, volunteering to donate blood and help make sure that we have strong inventories for the hospitals that we serve.”

What about the eligible donors who have been at work all day or are unable to make it to the blood drive?

“Today is a special day, but certainly we can also help folks find a mobile blood drive or donor center that’s nearby, simply by contacting us, or going to the blood center or our website,” said Winn.

If you were unable to make it to the blood drive today, you may contact the Ottumwa Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center at 641-684-6305, or visit bloodcenter.org to find a donor center near you.