Blood donors have an 88% lower risk of having a heart attack; Become a donor

Consider a different way to give back to the heart of the community by donating blood. The next local drive will be held in Waukon Monday, June 2 from Noon-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

People who give blood have an 88% lower risk of having a heart attack so giving blood is a win-win situation for both the donor and the recipient. Blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin are all checked at every blood donation so donors know if it’s high or low and can see patterns that may cause concern, helping keep them healthy and reducing heart attack risk.

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.

To help maintain Iowa’s blood supply, donate at the Waukon Community Blood Drive, Monday, June 2, at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.     

To schedule your appointment, feel free to call the LifeServe Blood Center at 800-287-4903.