Blood drive in SE Wisconsin to honor heroes on Veterans Day

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- To salute our heroes on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is encouraging people to donate. 

Versiti encourages community members to thank and honor our local veterans by giving blood on Nov. 11, at one of its nine donor centers around the state, or at one of its community blood drives:

• Milwaukee, 11:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., 638 N. 18th St.
• Kenosha, 9:30 a.m. – 5:15 a.m., 8064 39th Ave.
• Wauwatosa, 6 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., 8733 W. Watertown Plank Road
• Greenfield, 7:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., 7210 W. Edgerton Ave.
• Manitowoc, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., 619 Reed Ave.
• Marshfield, 10:00 a.m. – 5:15 a.m., 508 N. Central, Suite 101
• Racine, 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., 1120 S. Sunnyslope Drive
• Waukesha, 6:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., 2111 Springdale Road
• West Bend, 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., 130 Valley Ave.

“We salute our everyday blood donor heroes for saving lives – and we salute our military veterans for their service and sacrifices made. Donating blood is a small gesture to honor those to whom we owe so much,” said Fay Spano, director of public relations, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.

Versiti salutes its many Wisconsin veterans for their commitment to saving lives through blood donation, including two Milwaukee area residents: Vietnam veteran Richard (Dick) Radomski, a blood donor since 1958, and 20-year air force veteran Joe Puca, who has donated since 1996. They will be sharing their stories and donating at the Milwaukee donor center (638 N. 18th Street) at 11:45 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

“I could really see the need for blood while I was serving, and I still see a need for it today,” says Puca. “This is a gratifying way I can give back to the world around me. I just try to give back in any way I can.”

To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-BE-A-HERO (1-877-232-4376) or CLICK HERE. 

Anyone 17 or older who is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to donate blood. Appointments are preferred, but walk-in donors are also welcome. Parental consent is required for 16-year-olds to donate. The entire process takes about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes birth date.