Next week, the annual Hodag M.A.S.H. Blood Drive will return to Rhinelander with several new changes.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, and blood donations will be taken from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the first time, the drive will be held at Nicolet College.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments will be required in an effort to control the number of people at the event at the same time.
Community Blood Center Marketing and Communications Manager Rachel Sonnentag said this year presents special challenges in the blood supply.
“Not only are blood drives getting canceled, still, throughout the summer, but also, elective surgeries at our hospital partners are resuming. We are seeing that need for blood start to resurface a little bit again here,” she said.
The tradition of the Hodag M.A.S.H. Blood Drive goes back years in Rhinelander.
“Certainly, one of the favorite references is M.A.S.H., the TV show. We’ve done a little bit of a play on that and have a M.A.S.H.-themed blood drive,” said Sonnentag.
To schedule an appointment to give blood, call 800-280-4108 or visit the Community Blood Center’s website.
