McIntosh’s blood drive brings in 62 volunteers to donate
Tue, 02/13/2018 - 9:30am
admin
McIntosh volunteers from the former Ladies Auxiliary, hosted a blood drive with United Blood Services on January 31 at the Community Center which helped collect at total of 55 units of blood for patients in need.
A total of 62 individuals volunteered to donate blood and 53 individuals were able to donate at the United Blood Services blood drive on January 31. A total of two donors also came forward to donate Power Red Cells (2RBC) which collects two units of red blood cells while returning platelets, plasma and a saline solution back to the donor. There were three people who volunteered for the first time.
The oldest donor was Lloyd Schleicher of McIntosh who is 97 years old.
United Blood Services expressed their gratitude to Mary Goodwin, who coordinated the drive.
Others who assisted the day of the drive: Garnet Aanenson, Carole Burslie, Jane Aakus, Patti Benson, Betty Tangen, Joanne Ekeberg and Karen Rolf.
UBS strives to keep a 5-day supply of every blood type on the shelf at all times to be able to meet the needs of patients across the region.
Donations from O-negative donors, the universal blood type, are especially important this time of year due to increased accidents and trauma cases.
United Blood Services is the only blood provider to nearly 70 hospitals across the region. The blood supply is dependent on selfless donations from volunteer donors to ensure the lifesaving needs of the region are met.
About 30 percent of UBS’s blood supply goes to cancer patients across the region and one in seven people entering the hospital will need blood. Those relying on blood in the region receive that lifesaving blood from UBS.
Donors can make a convenient appointment to give blood at www.bloodhero.com or by calling (877) 827-4376. With each donation, donors receive a free total cholesterol test and earn points in United Blood Services Hero in Me rewards program.
Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate on www.unitedbloodservices.org