River Region hopes the season of giving is perfect time for blood drive
Published 3:42 pm Tuesday, December 31, 2019
The holidays are traditionally a time for giving, and with that in the mind, officials at the Merit Health River Region hope area residents are in the spirit to give — give life.
The hospital has scheduled one of its blood drives for Friday, beginning at 10 a.m. in classrooms A through D. The hospital is located at 2100 Highway 61 North.
“With traveling and being busy this time of year people just don’t seem to give,” said Josh Hammons, executive director of the hospital’s cardiopulmonary lab.
By using the sponsor code VICKSBURG, appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org.
Walk-ins are also welcome, Merit Health River Region Marketing Director Leigh White said.
“For those who work and need a specific time, they can schedule an appointment through the website,” White said, as well as complete some of the required paperwork.
And for those who may be on their lunch hour, it is ok to just drop in, she said.
All donors will receive a t-shirt.
According to the American Red Cross website, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds and one blood donation can potentially save up to three lives.
And while it is easy to give, Hammons said a lot of people think donating blood is painful. It’s not.
After a few general questions are asked and your temperature, blood pressure and your hemoglobin level is checked, a staff person will have you either sit or lie down if criteria are met. They will then clean an area of your arm and a new sterile needle will be inserted to draw the blood.
According to the American Red Cross’ website, it takes about eight to 10 minutes for whole blood donation.