Rotary blood screening event raises funds for Bemidji K9 program

May 15—BEMIDJI — The Sanford Bemidji Medical Center lobby was a buzz of activity on Wednesday morning as community members filed in the doors for the Rotary Club's annual blood screening event.

Held each spring, the event serves as an opportunity to not only receive a screening at a great price but it also helps raise funds for a different community project each year.

This year, the proceeds are going to the Bemidji Police Department as part of an ongoing effort to reestablish its K9 program, which hasn't been in place since the early 1990s when its dog, Justus, retired.

Fundraising

kicked off earlier this year with a bowling event held in January

and will continue until the department reaches its goal of $130,000, which will help cover the cost of a fully outfitted K9 squad car as well as training expenses for K9 Doc and his handler Officer Rachel Kniss.

For those who would like to help support Doc's welcome to Bemidji, the blood screening is $35 and will continue from 7 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 17, providing community members an inexpensive way to learn more about their health.

The test is done at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, 1300 Anne St. NW, and includes screenings for cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, glucose, creatinine, hemoglobin and white blood cell count.

Appointments will be required by calling

(218) 333-2277.