91¿ì»îÁÖ to host blood drive

man giving blood

October 14, 2020Ìý
Story byÌýJoe VinduskaÌý

91¿ì»îÁÖ will host a blood drive from 9Ìýa.m.-2:30 p.m.ÌýFriday,ÌýOct.Ìý30Ìýin theÌýTechnicalÌýBuilding in room T-186, the Case New Holland TrainingÌýarea.ÌýSocial distancing guidelines will be followed and masks will be required.Ìý

Donors are encouraged to set an appointment using the "RapidPass" system.ÌýRapidPassÌýallows donors to complete their pre-reading and donation questions online from the comfort and privacy of their home or office; reducing the time they spend at the blood drive by up to 15 minutes. Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpassÌýto sign up. If donors choose to use theÌýRapidPassÌýsystem, they must complete the form the day of their donation. This can be done as early as midnight of that day. Walk-ins will still be accepted, but the new system is designed to make the process more streamlined.Ìý
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Information about blood donation from the American Red Cross:Ìý

  • OnÌýany given day, an average of 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the United States.Ìý

  • An individual suffering from massive blood loss may require transfusions of up to 100Ìýpints of red blood cells.Ìý

  • A unit ofÌýblood once obtained has to be transfused in 42 days.ÌýIf not, it has to be discarded.Ìý

  • The average adult body contains 10-12 pints (units) of blood.Ìý

  • There is no substitute for human blood.ÌýIt cannot be manufactured.Ìý

  • According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.7 million peopleÌýwill be diagnosed with cancer annually. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their .Ìý

How to prepare for giving blood:Ìý

  • The day priorÌýbeginÌýdrinking extra fluids especiallyÌýwater withÌýelectrolyte supplements.Ìý Good hydration will make the process of giving blood easy.Ìý

  • Eat a good breakfast or lunchÌýpriorÌýto giving blood.Ìý Good hydration and good nutrition will help prevent lightheadedness and weakness associated with giving blood.Ìý

  • Eat iron-rich foods to help provide good hemoglobin.Ìý Red meat, oysters, clams, soybeans, dried beans, peas, lentils, whole grain cereals and breads, prunes, dried fruit and liver are excellent sources of iron.Ìý

  • Vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron, so eat foods rich in vitamin C such as: citrus fruits or juices, kiwi, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, spinach and leafy greens like turnips and collard greens.Ìý

A few of the reasons you may not be able to give blood:Ìý

  • ÌýLow blood pressure.ÌýÌý

  • ÌýHigh blood pressure.Ìý

  • ÌýFever, cough or other acute cold symptoms.Ìý

  • ÌýOn antibiotics for an infection.Ìý

  • ÌýBody piercing:Ìýeligible if under sterile conditions.Ìý If questionable, required to wait 12Ìýmonths.Ìý

  • ÌýPregnancy.Ìý

  • ÌýTattooÌýif applied at state regulated facility.ÌýÌý(If not, must wait 12 months.)Ìý

  • ÌýTravel outside the US in countries having high risk of malaria.Ìý

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For more information, contact Barton Campus Nurse Kathy Brock, atÌýbrockk@bartonccc.eduÌý or (620) 792-9233.Ìý