Mark your calendar! Monday, January 23, St. Helen Catholic Church will host a blood drive from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Donors will be able to give whole blood and Power Red donations.
The following may help you prepare to donate:
• Hydrate. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of your donation.
• Wear something comfortable. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.
• Maintain a healthy level of iron in your diet before donating. If possible, include iron-rich foods in your diet, especially in the weeks before your donation.
• Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream, as the fat contained may hinder the Red Cross’s ability to test for infectious diseases.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Bring a list of medications you are taking. The Red Cross will need to know about any prescription and/or over-the-counter medications that may be in your system.
• Bring an ID. Please bring either your donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification.
• Bring a friend. Bring along a friend, so you may both enjoy the benefits of giving blood.
• Relax! Blood donation is a simple and very safe procedure, so there is nothing to worry about.
Whole blood and platelet donors must be in good general health and feeling well, at least 17 years old – or 16 with parental consent – and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Power Red donations will also be accepted at the January 23 blood drive. Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you. If you are busy, committed to donating blood, and an eligible type O, A negative or B negative donor, Power Red may be ideal for you. Each procedure lets you give more of the product needed by most patients. Power Red takes approximately 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation. Because your platelets and plasma are returned to you along with some saline, you may feel more hydrated after your donation than those who donated whole blood. If you’d like to donate Power Red, the following criteria apply:
Male Donors Must
– Be healthy and feeling well
– Be at least 17 years old
– Be at least 5’1”
– Weigh at least 130 pounds
Female Donors Must
– Be healthy and feeling well
– Be at least 17 years old
– Be at least 5’5”
– Weigh at least 150 pounds
After Your Donation
• Drink an extra four (8 ounce) glasses of liquids and avoid alcohol over the next 24 hours.
• Remove the wrap bandage (if you had one put on your arm) within the next hour.
• Keep the strip bandage on for the next several hours.
• To avoid a skin rash, clean the area around the strip bandage with soap and water.
• Do not do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.
• If the needle site starts to bleed, apply pressure to it and raise your arm straight up for about five to ten minutes or until bleeding stops.
• If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness after donation, stop what you are doing and sit down or lie down until you feel better. Avoid performing any activity where fainting may lead to injury for at least 24 hours.
• Call us at 1-866-236-3276 to report any additional health information that you forgot to tell us, if you have any problems or if you needed medical care after giving blood.
• Learn more about your need for iron after blood donation here.
To find out more about blood donation, please click here.
