Wellesley Dental Group to Host Community Blood Drive

WELLESLEY, MA – Wellesley Dental Group will host a community blood drive next month with the goal of collecting at least 50 units of lifesaving blood.

The drive will be held at the Wellesley Community Center Feb. 17 in conjunction with the American Red Cross.

Dr. Femina Ali, owner of Wellesley Dental Group, says the drive is a way of helping the American Red Cross in its endeavors in greater Boston as well as across the country.

"Millions of people in need are helped by the critical blood donations provided by American Red Cross," Ali said in a statement. "We are delighted to sponsor this event with this incredible organization and have the opportunity to help our fellow Americans through this blood drive."

Types O-negative, O-positive, A-negative and B-negative are needed. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weight 110 pounds. Click here for additional guidelines.

The blood drive will run from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington Street.

Prospective donors can pre-register by visiting www.redcrossblood.org and entering sponsor code WellesleyCC or by clicking here.

Donors may also complete pre-reading and health history questions online at Red Cross RapidPass and print out the form on the day of the blood drive.

Due to close monitoring if the Zika virus, the American Red Cross asks that you do not donate if you've visited the following regions in the last four weeks: Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Miami, Dade and Broward Counties, Florida.

Please bring picture identification and remember to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

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