Onancock, VA – The American Red Cross (ARC) plans a blood drive for February 20 at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital from 11am – 3pm in the hospital’s conference room.
ARC reports that extreme winter storms following fast on the heels of the holiday season have resulted in significant reductions in blood inventories. Blood collection has been negatively impacted as donors have struggled in the winter weather to get to blood drives, and many drives were cancelled. As a result, blood is being distributed as soon as it comes in. Platelets and type O negative and B negative red cells are in particularly short supply, but donors of all blood types are welcome, as are Power Red donors.
Volunteer donors are the only source of blood and platelets for patients in need of transfusions. Blood is needed for accident victims, surgical patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. There is no artificial substitute for blood.
Blood donation requirements include a minimum weight of 110 pounds and minimum age of 17. A 16-year old may donate blood with written parental consent. There is no upper age limit for donating blood.
Many health conditions and medications do NOT prevent someone from donating blood. People taking insulin, blood pressure, thyroid, and cholesterol medications, aspirin, antidepressants, and hormone replacement CAN give blood.
Donors are encouraged to eat a meal prior to giving blood and drink plenty of water.
No appointment is necessary, but having one will speed the process. Make an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code SMHosp.
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