Paying fines with blood an option for library patrons

 

Maricopa Public Library is again hosting a Red Cross bloodmobile, allowing patrons to exchange a blood donation for a fine.[quote_box_right]IF YOU GO
What: Blood for Fines
When: July 7, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Where: Maricopa Public Library, 41600 W. Smith-Enke Road
How Much: Free[/quote_box_right]

Library Manager Erik Surber said fines up to $25 will be waived for those who give blood during the drive, which is set for July 7 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the library, 41600 W. Smith-Enke Road.

To give blood, donors must bring a driver’s license or two other forms of identification.

The fine waiver does not apply to replacement charges, so if you lost a book, you’ll still need to pay for it. Library patrons who do not owe fines cannot use the blood donation as an opportunity to accumulate credit.

According to the American Red Cross, although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less than 10 percent of that eligible population do so each year. That is around 6.8 million donors annually.

The Red Cross supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply. Around 36,000 units are needed every day.

To register for the blood drive at Maricopa Public Library online at rdcrss.org/2to48ge or call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For a complete list of requirements and helpful tips for potential donors, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Donating-Blood.

---

This article appears in the July issue of InMaricopa.