Blood drives coming to Sanders County
<p>Mark Sheets of Thompson Falls prepares to give blood in the Thompson Falls High School gym at a blood drive in 2012.</p>
SANDERS COUNTY - Blood donations typically decline during the summer months, especially around the Independence Day holiday. To help prevent a summer blood shortage, donors are urged to make an appointment to donate with the American Red Cross leading up to Independence Day and in the weeks after.
The American Red Cross encourages blood donors to help prevent a summer shortage by rolling up a sleeve to give. Donors of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now, especially those with types O negative, B negative and A negative.
Type O negative is universal and can likely be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to patients with either Rh positive or negative blood. These blood types are the most in demand and the first to run out if there is a shortage.
To encourage more people to make time to donate blood before and after Independence Day, all presenting blood donors from June 30 through July 7 will receive a commemorative Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
The Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. To learn more and make an appointment to donate blood and help save lives, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming events in Sanders County:
July 12 from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Noxon Community, 300 Noxon Avenue
July 21 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Thompson Falls High School, 601 Golf Street
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
*Courtesy of the American Red Cross