Community blood drive Tues
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on August 7, 2016 1:45 AM
bbarclay@newsargus.com
The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will have a community appreciation blood drive to thank local donors. It will take place Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Red Cross chapter house at 600 N. George St.
"We really want to make this drive a donor appreciation event," said Miranda Harrison, account manager with the Red Cross. "We really want them to feel very much appreciated. And we're going to give them a little extra incentives to come out. Wayne County does an awesome job of supporting our blood drives. They do come out when they hear they're needed. We want to say, 'Hey, it's summer, we really do need you, and by the way, we're going to show appreciation for you.'"
Each donor will receive a goody bag consisting of a pen, Adams's car wash coupon, Jersey Mike's coupon, McDonald's coupon and some other freebies. Each donor will also get a Red Cross T-Shirt. As a special thank you to donors, the Red Cross will email a $5 Amazon gift card to everyone who comes out that day to give blood.
Donors will also have the chance to spin a prize wheel and win a bag, gift card and other items. And there will be some extra special treats in the canteen after making a donation.
The goal for the community blood drive is 90 units.
Donors must be at least 16 with a signed parental consent form and be overall healthy.
"The very first question they will be asked at the blood drive is, 'Do you feel well today?'" Ms. Harrison said. "If someone is fighting a summer cold or anything like that, they don't need to come out to give blood."
Ms. Harrison people often have questions about if they can donate with certain conditions, taking certain medications or have traveled to certain areas out of the country. They can call 1-800-redcross for answers.
During the drive, there will be regular blood collections, as well as double red cell collections.
"For a double red collection, we take only the red cells," Ms. Harrison said. "We are taking both O types, as well as A negative and B negative. People of those blood types, we really need them to come in. They can go online at www.redcrossblood.org and put in sponsorship code Goldsboro and our blood drive will come up and they can make an appointment to give a double red cell donation."
Ms. Harrison said a regular donation is called a whole donation because red blood cells, platelets and plasma are all taken, and are separated, so one donor can potentially save three lives.
"Red cells are good for only 42 days," she said, "So that's why we're always asking people to support our blood drives. Platelets are good for only five days. People who are type AB, we especially need for them to come out because they are a universal giver for platelets. Anybody can receive their platelets."
Ms. Harrison said the Red Cross would like all donors to make an appointment, but will take walk-ins, who might have to wait to get in.
"If someone is short on time, they can go online the day of the blood drive and complete a rapid pass," she said. "Rapid pass allows people to answer their health history questions prior to coming to the drive. That will save time."
Ms. Harrison said there is a blood shortage, the supply is critical.
"The summer months can be some of the most challenging times for blood because our regular donors typically delay giving blood while they are on vacation," she said. "People are still having accidents, especially with more people on vacation. There are still surgeries going on, people still receiving treatment for leukemia, sickle cell disease and cancer. We are shipping blood out just as quickly as it comes in.
"Hospital patients don't get a vacation from needing blood and platelets, the need is constant."
Anyone who has a question about the community blood drive may call the Red Cross office at 919-735-7201.