Blood Drive 6/7/2017

SAVE A LIFE–DONATE BLOOD

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 from 12:00pm-6:00pm at the Burnt Hills Fire Department at the corner of Route 50 and Lakehill Road in Burnt Hills, NY. Appointments may be made by calling 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543). WALK IN DONORS ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME. BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE LOW! PLEASE DONATE.

Benefits of Donating

• It feels great to donate!
• You get free juice and delicious cookies.
• It’s something you can spare – most people have blood to spare… yet, there is still not enough to go around.
• You will help ensure blood is on the shelf when needed – most people don’t think they’ll ever need blood, but many do.
• You will be someone’s hero – in fact, you could help save more than one life with just one donation.

What to Expect

Donating blood is a simple thing to do, but can make a big difference in the lives of others. The donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average. The steps in the process are:

Registration

1. You will complete donor registration, which includes information such as your name, address, phone number, and donor identification number (if you have one).
2. You will be asked to show a donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID.

Health History and Mini Physical

1. You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and the places you have traveled.
2. You will have your temperature, hemoglobin, blood pressure and pulse checked.

Donation

1. We will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand–new, sterile needle for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds.
2. You will have some time to relax while the bag is filling. (For a whole blood donation, it is about 8-10 minutes. If you are donating platelets, red cells or plasma by apheresis the collection can take up to 2 hours.)
3. When approximately a pint of blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm.

1. You will spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments to allow your body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume.
2. After 10-15 minutes you can then leave the donation site and continue with your normal daily activities.
3. Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have helped to save lives.

Your gift of blood may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells do not last forever. They have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.