Lions Clubs helping blood banks

The Lions Clubs in the Valley are getting behind the Blood Bank of Alaska, hoping increased awareness leads to an increase in blood donations.

Lions Clubs from around the Valley have built signs and are constantly updating them, reflecting the amount of blood donated at the Blood Bank of Alaska's Mat-Su branch.

The goal is for 2,000 pints of blood to be donated each month. In the summer, blood levels have remained low.

The signs look like thermometers, with different levels of donations noted on the sides.

"The signs were funded, made and are being taken care of by the Lions Clubs in Willow, Big Lake and Wasilla," said Sheri Hill of the Big Lake Lions Club. "It is a great community service project because it raises awareness that people need to donate blood."

There are three signs located in the Valley. The Wasilla Lions maintain and update the sign located on the hill above the railroad tracks in downtown Wasilla; the Big Lake Lions maintain and update the sign located at Lil' Gorilla Fireworks; and the Willow Lions maintain and update the sign located at the Willow Townsite Gas Station. A fourth sign is being planned for Eagle River, Hill said.

The Blood Bank of Alaska faxes the Lions Clubs once a week to give the updated levels of the amount of blood that week.

To schedule a blood donation appointment, interested people can call the Blood Bank of Alaska's Mat-Su chapter at 376-1195.