Donors can give blood on Friday, June 3
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Donors can give blood on Friday, June 3
WMUR is sponsoring a statewide blood drive on Friday, June 3, 2022, along with the American Red Cross.
Donors can also save time on the day of the drive by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire beforehand online. To learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.
All five locations will be open on June 3 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.:
The following answers were provided by the American Red Cross.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
An eligible donor will register; go through a health history review where they will have their blood pressure, temperature and iron checked, and then, if eligible, they will donate blood and enjoy refreshments.
Most donors agree that giving blood is not painful. They compare the procedure to a small, momentary pinch on the inner arm. While a little bit of discomfort may be experienced, the selfless act of donating blood can help save a life.
The entire process takes about one hour and 15 minutes; the actual donation of a pint of whole blood takes eight to 10 minutes. Time varies slightly with each person depending on several factors, including the donor’s health history and attendance at the blood drive.
Potential donors should get a good night’s sleep, eat a good meal, drink plenty of fluids and bring an ID and a list of medications they are taking with them to the blood drive.
Donated blood and platelets are tested for infectious diseases, separated into blood components and then distributed to hospital partners for transfusion to patients. As a national blood system, the Red Cross has the unique responsibility to help ensure hospital patients throughout the United States have blood when they need it. The Red Cross strives to meet local hospital needs first; then, blood can be sent wherever there is a patient in need through the Red Cross’ national inventory management system. The Red Cross’ goal is to get the right blood to the right patient at the right time.
The following information was provided by the American Red Cross.
As summer nears, blood donations are critically important in the weeks ahead to maintain a stable blood supply.
When schools let out and families set off on vacation, the American Red Cross typically sees a decline in donors, often leading to a seasonal blood shortage.
The need for lifesaving blood transfusions never takes a break. It’s important to have blood ready to go when every second counts.
With no substitution for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for patients with sickle cell disease, car accident victims and parents experiencing difficult childbirths.
Type O blood donors, type AB plasma donors and platelet donors are especially needed.
While no one can predict when an accident might happen, donors can help hospitals stay prepared and stocked with blood products. Donors are encouraged to be someone’s lifesaver and schedule a donation appointment now.
A person involved in a car accident may need as many as 100 units of blood.
Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations.
Type O positive blood is the most used blood type because it can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
Type AB plasma can be given to patients of any blood type to help maintain blood pressure and supply critical proteins for clotting and immunity.
Platelets are often needed to help with clotting in cases of massive bleeding.
The following information was provided by the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. Staff and donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, though individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason.
Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are still eligible to donate blood and platelets. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they receive is important in determining blood donation eligibility.
The Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Plasma from donations that meet the Food and Drug Administration’s criteria for convalescent plasma may be used to treat immunocompromised patients battling COVID-19.
Donors can also save time on the day of the drive by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire beforehand online. To learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.
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