Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is hosting a blood drive, open to the public, on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, located at 2100 Trail of Dreams in Prior Lake. Donors of all blood types are asked to help meet the nation’s substantial need – estimated at one person needing blood every two seconds.

To donate blood, the individual must be healthy, at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with written parental consent), at least 110 pounds, and not have made a whole blood donation in the past 56 days.

Donors participate in a brief screening as part of the approval process, including a mini-physical and a health history questionnaire. The questionnaire can be answered on-site or in advance on the same date of the donation at mbc.org/idonate. The entire process takes 45 minutes.

Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted. To schedule an appointment, please call the SMSC Wellness Program at 952-233-2965.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to charitable donations, community partnerships, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. Together the SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has donated more than $325 million to organizations and causes and has contributed millions more to regional governments and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services. The SMSC is the largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally and one of the largest charitable givers in Minnesota.