Prior Lake, Minnesota – The public is invited to participate in the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s next blood drive on Tuesday, April 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness in Prior Lake. For 25 years the SMSC has sponsored blood drives in an effort to help save lives.

Every two seconds someone in America has a need for a blood transfusion. More than 90% of Americans will require a blood transfusion for themselves or an immediate family member sometime in their lives.

The entire appointment takes less than an hour. To make a donation appointment, call SMSC Wellness Coordinators Angela Mostrom or Chris Blum at 952-233-2965. A limited number of walk-ins will also be accommodated.

Basic requirements to donate blood include:

– Feel well for at least three days after a cold or flu.

– Do not take antibiotics for at least 24 hours.

– Weigh at least 110 pounds.

– Eat a meal within six hours before you donate.

– Get a good night’s sleep the night before you donate.

– Wait at least 56 days from your last donation.

– Bring a valid photo ID.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota, is the owner and operator of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Little Six Casino, Mazopiya, The Meadows at Mystic Lake, and other enterprises on a reservation south of the Twin Cities. The SMSC utilizes its financial resources from gaming and non-gaming enterprises to pay for the internal infrastructure of the Tribe, including but not limited to roads, water and sewer systems, emergency services, and essential services to its members in education, health, and well-being.

A tribal charitable giving program which comes from a cultural and social tradition to assist those in need has given away more than $262.2 million to Indian Tribes, charitable organizations, and schools since 1992. Through the Mdewakanton LIFE Program, the SMSC has donated 776 Automated External Defibrillators to tribes, schools, police and fire departments, and other organizations with 21 lives saved due to their use.

The SMSC has also made more than $523 million in loans mostly to other tribes for economic and infrastructure development projects. Since 1996 the SMSC paid more than $7.6 million for shared local road construction and an additional $16.7 million for road projects on the reservation. The SMSC has also paid $14.4 million to local governments for services and another $6.4 million for other projects. Total construction spending by the SMSC since 1990 is more than $758.7 million.