What can you do that’s truly patriotic, as the Fourth of July approaches? Make an appointment today, and bring your own mask or face covering for the July 1 blood drive that will be hosted at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center. Giving blood is safe, and appointments are required in order to schedule donors and maintain safe physical distancing for clinic staff and donors (and, again, masks are required). And consider this: our nation’s blood supply requires a steady supply of donors who generously donate millions of units of potentially life-saving blood and blood components each year. Every two seconds, a patient needs a blood transfusion. At this time the number of blood donations has been dramatically reduced due to the implementation of social distancing and the cancellation of blood drives. Schedule your own appointment ahead of time with a toll-free call to 877-25-VITAL, or conveniently view open appointment times online and schedule your own at bloodhero.com.
Precautions -- For Your Safety
Masks are required -- both donors and staff are required to wear a face covering, so please plan ahead and bring yours. Donors will have their temperature checked upon arrival, and you must be under 99.5˚F to enter. To create space, donors are required to have made an appointment ahead of time (see link and phone above to schedule yours). We are using sterile, one-time use collection sets for every donation and wiping down all high-touch areas often and after every collection. Questions? Check out this page of FAQs about donating vitalant.org/Resources/FAQs.aspx
A Few Facts
* Nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but less than 10 percent actually do.
* Donating blood is safe. Sterile, disposable needles and supplies are used once and then properly disposed. You cannot contract any infectious disease by donating blood.
* Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply to some donors age 22 and younger. Donors who are 16 or 17 must have a signed permission form from a parent or guardian.
* One hour - that’s the usual amount of your time, from completing the health history questionnaire, to a medical screening -- donation itself only takes about 10 minutes -- and then post-donation refreshments and snacks..
* Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. That’s why it’s so important we continuously replenish the supply. And blood has a shelf life. Red blood cells can be used up to 42 days and platelets need to be used in five. All blood types are needed, including the most common blood types.
* Following your donation, your transformative gift is typed, tested, processed, stored and distributed to patients who need it in the hospitals we serve. You’ll feel proud knowing you’ve saved up to three lives. When you do good for others, you do good for yourself! If you’d like to see what happens to your blood donation in person, schedule a behind-the-scenes tour of your local donation center.
* Vitalant provides blood to 1,000 hospitals across 40 states where it is used in a variety of medical treatments. Your single blood donation can save and enhance the lives of up to three patients. Read stories of those whose lives have been saved by blood donation.
