Someone in the U.S. needs blood every other second. Although nearly 38
percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, less than 10 percent
do. There is a greater need for blood during the holidays because traumatic
accidents increase while donations decrease.
Great River Health Systems is hosting a blood drive from 7 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, in the Mercy Plaza lobby, 1225 S. Gear Ave., West
Burlington.
Donors must be 17 years old (16 with a signed Parental Consent Form), weigh
at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Photo identification or a blood
center donor card is required to donate. Donors who last gave blood on
or before Sept. 26 are eligible to give at this drive.
Donors may walk in or make an appointment by calling 319-768-3303. They
also can register online:
-
Click
HERE.
- Click Create My Account.
- After logging on, click Donate Blood.
- In Step 1 at the top of the screen, search for Great River Medical Center.
- Click Nov. 21.
- Click Schedule next to the time you choose.
Scheduling online earns points for gear at Mississippi Valley Regional
Blood Center’s Donor Loyalty Store.
To prepare for donation, eat a snack before donating and drink plenty of
fluids before and after giving blood.
The major reasons patients need blood are cancer, heart and blood vessel
disease, gastrointestinal diseases and emergencies such as car accidents
and burns. There is no substitute for blood; it must come from donors.
Every unit of blood donated can save up to four lives.
The not-for-profit Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center provides all
the blood products used at Great River Medical Center and 86 other hospitals
in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin. Based in Davenport, it tests,
processes and distributes more than 250,000 units of blood components
each year.
For more information about donating blood, please visit
www.bloodcenter.org.