Successful Julie Christensen Memorial Blood Drive with remarkable number of first time donors; Now taking appointments for June 7 Blood Drive
The LifeServe Blood Center reported a huge number of donors at the special memorial blood drive, held April 21, for Julie Christensen at the Waukon Wellness Center. 72 units of blood were collected with 28 of them being first time donors. This is nearly twice the size of the regular monthly blood drive in Waukon. These donors are now encouraged to continue with regular blood donation as the need for blood is always there.
The next blood drive will be held Monday, June 7, 2021, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center is always welcoming new blood donors to donate. Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives. Blood donors have a unique opportunity to contribute to their community by making a life-saving blood donation.
Here are some interesting blood facts from the Blood Center of Iowa:
• Every 3 seconds someone needs blood.
• Blood makes up about 8 percent of a person’s body weight.
• Blood is needed every minute of every day; summer, winter, spring and fall.
• Scheduled surgeries are not canceled in Iowa because of a lack of blood, but it is a problem in other parts of the nation.
• Donating blood includes a health check for the donor (checking blood pressure, pulse, temperature and hemoglobin) prior to donating.
• There is absolutely no way you can contract any disease from giving blood.
• Blood can be split into different components (red cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate) and used to help different types of patients.
Regular blood donors may donate blood as often as every 56 days. First time donors will find that donating blood is a safe and easy way to save lives and make a difference in the community. One single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients.
The donation process is simple:
1. Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids at least four hours prior to donating.
2. Bring proper identification, such as your donor card or a driver’s license.
3. Complete a health history questionnaire and screening interview.
4. Receive a brief health check by trained staff. This includes a check of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and blood iron levels.
5. Sit back while a unit of blood, approximately one pint, is collected. This process takes around 10 minutes.
6. Enjoy refreshments while relaxing for 10-15 minutes before leaving the facility.
The blood that is collected is tested carefully. In fact, all blood that is collected by any blood collection center is all tested the same, according to the federal regulations.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate blood at the June 7 Waukon blood drive, call 800-287-4903. Appointments are required.
The LifeServe Blood Center thanks everyone for their continued support and dedication to saving lives.
