SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – January is National Blood Donor Month and West Nebraska Blood Center at Regional West is encouraging local business employees to roll up their sleeves to give blood to help maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients.

Maintaining a sufficient blood supply for patients is difficult at this time of year because extreme weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout.

A “Business Challenge” has been created by the Blood Donor Center as a friendly competition among panhandle businesses across all industries, as well as Regional West departments, to see who can have the most employees donate blood.

The “Challenge” will be over the course of 56 days and will have four business size categories – small (less than 10 employees), medium (11-40), large (41-75), and extra-large (76 and up).

The winner of each group will receive a plaque. All people who are in good general health, are 16 years of age and older, and weigh at least 115 pounds are encouraged to donate.

For more information on entering your business into the challenge or making an appointment to donate, call the West Nebraska Blood Center at 308-630-2477 or toll free 888-522-7962.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 182-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.