Press release from the American Red Cross:
Make the most of your gift
American Red Cross provides tips for good donation experience
(December 2, 2010) – Planning ahead is one way to take the stress out of holiday gift giving. And when you plan to give the gift of life through the American Red Cross, you can make the most of your donation experience by following a few simple tips.
“A lot of people say preparing for a great donation experience is just like preparing for a big event,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “That’s true, because helping to save a life is a truly remarkable thing to do.”
Getting a good night’s sleep, having a good breakfast or lunch, and drinking extra water and fluids can help ensure a successful blood donation. Donors are also advised to avoid eating fatty foods, and to eat plenty of food rich in iron and Vitamin C in the days leading up to the donation. Wearing comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow is also recommended.
“We also suggest that you spend 10 to 15 minutes relaxing in the refreshment area after your donation,” said Whitman. “It’s a way for you to rejuvenate by enjoying a drink and a snack, and to meet other donors who just helped save lives, too.”
Donating blood is simple, and takes about an hour from the time you arrive until the time you leave. That’s an hour, Red Cross officials say, that could amount to a lifetime for someone who needs blood for ongoing or emergency medical care.
“Blood is a gift that money can’t buy,” said Whitman. “It’s only something that one person can give to another. And that’s priceless.”
For details on giving the perfect gift this holiday season, visit www.redcrossblood.org/theperfectgift.
Come to donate from Dec. 6 – 31 and be entered into a weekly region-wide drawing for a $250 Visa gift card! In addition, all donors from Dec. 20 through Jan. 31 will receive a coupon for a free donut from Dunkin’ Donuts.
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Friday, Dec. 17, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Mill Supplies, Inc., located at 5105 Industrial Road in Fort Wayne. Please call 484-8566 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Monday, Dec. 20, from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Lowe’s, located at 6931 N. Lima Road in Fort Wayne. Please call 497-9040 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Tuesday, Dec. 21, from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Dupont Hospital, located at 2520 E. Dupont Road in Fort Wayne. Please call 416-3023 to schedule your blood donation appointment. Come to donate and receive a free American Red Cross stadium seat cushion.
- Monday, Dec. 27, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the gymnasium, located at 10700 Aboite Center Road in Fort Wayne. Please call 459-1497 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in the Meeting Room, located at 4700 Vance Ave. in Fort Wayne. Please call 483-8816 to schedule your blood donation appointment.
Fort Wayne Donor Center located at 1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne, (across from the Memorial Coliseum)
Traditional whole blood or double red cell donation:
- Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday: noon – 6 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Platelet pheresis donation (call 1-800-589-8127 or 260-480-8299 to schedule a platelet donation):
- Monday: 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – noon
- Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Lutheran Hospital Donor Center located at 7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107 in Fort Wayne (in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital) Traditional whole blood or platelet pheresis donation (no platelet pheresis on Wednesdays):
- Monday through Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.
- Thursday through Saturday: 6 a.m. – noon
- Sunday: by appointment only
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.
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