October 8, 2021
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
SWAGºÏ¼¯ will host a blood drive from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29 in the Technical Building in room T-186, the Case New Holland Training area. Donors will receive t-shirts and $5 e-cards. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and masks will be required.
Donors are encouraged to set an appointment using the "RapidPass" system. RapidPass allows donors to complete their pre-reading and donation questions online from the comfort and privacy of their home or office; reducing the time they spend at the blood drive by up to 15 minutes. Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to sign up. If donors choose to use the RapidPass system, they must complete the form the day of their donation. This can be done as early as midnight of that day. Walk-ins will still be accepted, but the new system is designed to make the process more streamlined.
Information about blood donation from the American Red Cross:
•ÌýÌý ÌýOn any given day, an average of 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the United States.
•ÌýÌý ÌýAn individual suffering from massive blood loss may require transfusions of up to 100 pints of red blood cells.
•ÌýÌý ÌýA unit of blood once obtained has to be transfused in 42 days. If not, it has to be discarded.
•ÌýÌý ÌýThe average adult body contains 10-12 pints (units) of blood.
•ÌýÌý ÌýThere is no substitute for human blood. It cannot be manufactured.
•ÌýÌý ÌýAccording to the American Cancer Society, about 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with cancer annually. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
How to prepare for giving blood:
•ÌýÌý ÌýThe day prior begin drinking extra fluids especially water with electrolyte supplements. Good hydration will make the process of giving blood easy.
•ÌýÌý ÌýEat a good breakfast or lunch prior to giving blood. Good hydration and good nutrition will help prevent lightheadedness and weakness associated with giving blood.
•ÌýÌý ÌýEat iron-rich foods to help provide good hemoglobin. Red meat, oysters, clams, soybeans, dried beans, peas, lentils, whole grain cereals and breads, prunes, dried fruit and liver are excellent sources of iron.
•ÌýÌý ÌýVitamin C helps the body absorb the iron, so eat foods rich in vitamin C such as: citrus fruits or juices, kiwi, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, spinach and leafy greens like turnips and collard greens.
A few of the reasons you may not be able to give blood:
•ÌýÌý Ìý Low blood pressure.Ìý
•ÌýÌý Ìý High blood pressure.
•ÌýÌý Ìý Fever, cough or other acute cold symptoms.
•ÌýÌý Ìý On antibiotics for an infection.
•ÌýÌý Ìý Body piercing: eligible if under sterile conditions. If questionable, required to wait 12 months.
•ÌýÌý Ìý Pregnancy.
•ÌýÌý Ìý Tattoo if applied at state-regulated facility. If not, must wait 12 months.
•ÌýÌý Ìý Travel outside the US in countries having high risk of malaria.
For more information, contact SWAGºÏ¼¯ Campus Nurse Jenni Bauer, at bauerj@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9233.
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