St. Elizabeth's Hospital issued the following announcement on July 31.
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, in conjunction with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC), is hosting a blood drive Tuesday, August 13, from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Anyone attending the drive should park near the hospital’s Outpatient entrance and enter the building using the Outpatient entrance, which is noted with a blue “Outpatient” sign. Additional directional signs will be posted to lead guests to the conference room, located on the 4th floor.
All presenting donors will receive a gift card voucher, which is redeemable online or by phone, for the donor’s choice of a $10 Gift Card to Amazon.com, Casey’s General Store, Dairy Queen or Domino’s. With each donation, donors will also earn points that can be redeemed in the Blood Center’s online loyalty store for exclusive donor gifts such as apparel, drinkware, and phone accessories.
“The rate of blood donation declines between Memorial Day and Labor Day due to the Blood Center’s inability to schedule blood drives at high schools, colleges and universities,” said Amanda Hess, Director of Donor and Public Relations at MVRBC. “Travel for summer vacations and busier schedules also play a role in decreasing blood inventories.”
At this time, donations of all blood types are needed, but there is a special need for type O-negative and O-positive whole blood donors, type AB plasma donors and platelet donors. Type O red blood cells and AB plasma are “universal” blood components, so named because these components can be transfused to patients of all other blood types and are frequently used in emergency settings.
To schedule a donation time call MVRBC at 866-GIVE-BLD (866-448-3253) or log on to www.bloodcenterimpact.org and use Sponsor Code: 10155. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are suggested. A photo ID is required to participate and it is encouraged that all donors get a good night’s sleep and eat a sustaining meal and hydrate well before donating.
A blood donor can give every eight weeks, or up to six times a year. All person’s age 17 and up (or 16 with a signed parental permission form) who weigh at least 110 lbs. and are in general good health meet the basic eligibility requirements for blood donation. A full list of donor eligibility guidelines may be found at http://www.bloodcenter.org/donate-blood/donating-blood/donor-eligibility.aspx.
Original source can be found here.
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