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Serving on the Menlo Park City Council demands a lot in terms of time, energy, and in Mayor Peter Ohtaki's case, blood. After cutting the ribbon, he celebrated the grand opening of Stanford's new blood-donation center by giving blood on Jan. 31.

The center, located at 445 Burgess Drive in Menlo Park, replaces the one Stanford used to operate on Welch Road in Palo Alto.

Representatives said the blood center currently has a need for all blood types, but there is a particular need for Rh-negative blood. Donors should be in good health with no cold or flu symptoms. They must eat well prior to donation, drink fluids and present photo identification at the center. The process takes about an hour.

Go to the center's website for more information.

— Sandy Brundage

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