|
Please give the ‘Gift of Life’ Tuesday, July 22
|
|
|
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Just by giving up about one hour of your time on July 22, you can save someone’s life. The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Caledonia from 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22 at the Four Seasons Community Center. All persons 16 years or older (with parental permission if under 18) in good health can be a donor and give the gift of life.
Giving blood is safe and simple. The entire process takes about an hour.
To help ensure a good experience, you should increase your fluid intake before and after giving blood. It’s a good idea to eat something within four hours before giving blood.
When you come in to donate blood, you’re asked a number of questions regarding your health, and then your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and iron count are checked. A pint of blood is then collected, which takes about six to eight minutes. Then you will spend 15 minutes enjoying refreshments. That’s it!
Giving blood is safe. Red Cross staffers are committed to making your blood donation a pleasant experience. They use a sterile needle and bag to collect your blood. Both are used only for you. This ensures that you cannot get any infection or disease from giving blood.
How does your blood donation help? Your blood donation is taken to the Red Cross laboratory where it is tested and separated into its component parts. In this way, your donation could help more than one patient! Red Blood Cells must be transfused within 42 days. These cells carry the body’s oxygen supply and are needed by patients undergoing chemotherapy, having surgery or recovering from traumatic injuries. Platelets must be transfused within five days. Platelets are fragile blood cells that cancer patients and others need to control bleeding. Plasma can be frozen for one year. Plasma is the yellow liquid portion of blood. It is a source of the proteins that stop bleeding by forming blood clots. White blood cells must be transfused within 24 hours. White blood cells are given to help patients fight infections.
Please circle July 22 on your calendar today. Giving the gift of life is a wonderful thing to do!
|
|
