Blood Drive in Olney
Bedford (Nov. 11, 2018) – The marvels of modern medicine include the ability to transfuse living tissue – blood – from one person to another. Volunteer blood donors, like those in Olney, make it possible to treat acute disease, chronic conditions, even cancers. That is a reason to give many thanks. Carter BloodCare delivers transfusion services for North, Central and East Texas hospitals, for patients that number in the hundreds, daily. Treatments, such as chemotherapy, are heavily supported with blood or platelets “at the ready.” Additionally, the lifesaving capabilities are not possible without 1,000 volunteers giving blood every day.
There is no substitute for human blood. And when a patient’s life is on the line, blood must be ready with only a moment’s notice.
A blood drive will be held at the Olney Hamilton Hospital Education Center, 902 W. Hamilton Street, on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact the hospital switchboard at 940-564-5521.
When you give blood, you can save at least three lives because the blood is separated into several components. Some patients only need one product, like red cells or platelets; or, the patient requires a combination of them in different ratios. The blood helps to ensure chemotherapy patients receive platelets they need; red cells are available for heart surgery patients; and when a lifesaving donor organ arrives, blood is accessible to surgeons for the operation.
Eat a nutritious meal and drink plenty of water one to two hours before giving blood. Standard eligibility requirements are a minimum weight of 110 pounds, the donor feels well that day and presents a governmentissued photo ID at each donation. Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds may give independently, and there is no upper age limit for donating blood. For more information on donor eligibility and to make an appointment, call 1-800-366-2834 or visit carterbloodcare.org.