FORT COLLINS, CO – Houska Automotive hosts its 8th Annual Houska Halloween Blood Drive on Friday, October 30 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Poudre Valley Hospital’s Garth Englund Blood Center, located at 1025 Pennock Place (two blocks north of the hospital behind Pizza Hut). Houska Automotive owners Dennis and Noreen Houska have been donating blood for as long as they can remember, and they joined the National Bone Marrow Registry in 1994. “Donating blood and registering your bone marrow is an easy way to save someone’s life,” said Dennis Houska, whose bone marrow was a life-saving match for a young California boy with leukemia in 1995.
Although Houska has a very personal and rewarding connection to the bone marrow registry, he also recognizes the serious need for blood donations in the Fort Collins and Loveland area. “Every year the Garth Englund Blood Center collects just enough blood and plasma to barely meet demand,” said Houska. “Only 3.5 percent of eligible people donate blood, so as a community I know we can do more.”
The Garth Englund Blood Center sees the beneficial impact of the Houska Halloween Blood Drive every year. Although the Houskas take this event seriously, they have a good time with the ghoulish Halloween theme of their annual blood drive, and they encourage people to come in costume and have some fun. People who donate blood at the drive on October 30 will receive a free T-shirt while supplies last. Those who sign up for the International Bone Marrow Registry will receive a free oil change from Houska Automotive, and the normal bone marrow registration fee will be waived.
Interested participants should: 1.) eat something prior to giving blood; 2.) be at least 18 years old, 17 with parent or guardian permission; 3.) weigh at least 110 pounds; and, 4.) call (970) 482-0156 to schedule a donation appointment.
Family owned and operated since 1952, Houska Automotive has a tradition of customer service and a commitment to community. For more information call (970) 482-0156 or visit www.HouskaAutomotive.com.
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