"This year, our goal is to collect 40 pints," Ron Jester, Community Service Chair said. "We're hoping to get 54 - 55 pints. This is the second year I've been involved and we reached our goal last year."
There is an urgent need for blood types O negative, B negative, and A negative. Donors must be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in overall general good health. A photo identification is also required. People with diabetes can donate blood if their sugar levels are under control.
"There is always a few people volunteering to donate that are not allowed due to their iron levels or the length of time from their last donation not being 60 days or more, but most often donors know if they're eligible," Jester said. "We encourage those who have never donated blood to consider it. We have a mailing list of regular donors that we notify when a blood drive is being held, and new donors are asked to join the mailing list to help grow our base list."
Donors will have available a selection of cheese, cookies, crackers, and drinks to consume while at the blood drive. Giving blood takes approximately 30 minutes after registration. Donors are given a mini medical exam that consists of checking the donor's blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and iron level before giving blood.
"In the summer months donations to the blood banks go down for a variety of reasons," Jester said. "People are on vacation, schools are not in session and the loss of jobs in the area also affects the donations with fewer employees to contribute to a company sponsored drive. This adds to the urgent need for blood. If an individual would like to set up a time to donate blood on Monday they may call me at 336-526-6380."
Ashley Gantt with the Red Cross Division out of Winston-Salem is available for those potential donors to contact if they have questions regarding donating blood for the first time.
"If an individual would like more information about becoming a donor they can contact me personally," Gantt said. "Often an individual may have a question that is not covered in one of our phamplets and I would be happy to try and answer it for them. They can contact me on my cell at 336-529-4918."
The American Red Cross urges individuals to donate blood as soon as possible. The current blood supply has dropped critically low throughout the Southeast. Donors of all blood types are welcome.
Summer blood shortages account for approximately 20 percent of all donations.
“Collecting enough blood to meet hospitals’ needs during the summer is always a challenge,” stated Joyce Brendel, interim chief executive officer, American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “This is especially true this year as many donors are also dealing with business closings, lay-offs and other issues relating to our current economy. Unfortunately, the need for blood doesn’t go away.
Patients are dependent on the Red Cross and volunteer blood donors to make sure blood is available to patients in need. Without an immediate response from generous people in the community, our ability to provide the needed blood will be limited.”
Every two seconds someone in this country needs blood. That need for blood continues to grow each year far faster than the number of individuals who donate blood. Currently only 38% of the population is eligible to donate and only a fraction of those eligible actually do so. In the Carolinas Blood Services
Region, the Red Cross must collect 1,600 units of blood each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients.
There is no substitute for blood, and the only source is from volunteer donors. Donors with type O (positive and negative), B negative and A negative blood should consider an automated red cell donation, a process in which only red cells are donated.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call (336) 786-4183 or visit surrycountyredcross.org.
Upcoming Surry County blood drives include:
8-14: Wal-Mart (Mt Airy), 12:30 – 5 p.m.
8-16: Mt View Baptist Church (Lowgap), 1:30 – 6 p.m.
8-17: Yadkin Valley Rotary Club at Elkin Rescue Squad, 2 – 6:30 p.m.
8-23: Mt Pleasant Baptist Church (Elkin), 12:30 – 5 p.m.
8-25: Mountain Valley Hospice (Mt Airy), 12 noon – 4:30 p.m.
8-26: Piney Grove Baptist Church, 3:30 – 8 p.m.
8-26: Elkin First UMC, 3 – 7:30 p.m.
8-30: Flat Rock Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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