News release from the American Red Cross:
In doubt about giving blood? You could be eligible.
Some health concerns not an issue when donating
Think you’re not a good candidate for blood donation? Think again. Sometimes, people with high blood pressure and diabetes suspect they are not eligible to give blood. Many cancer survivors also believe they will be deferred because of their previous illness.
“But that’s not always the case,” said Tracy Duncan Fox, Communications Manager for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “We’re working to dispel myths and to educate people about who can give blood and when.”
In the United States, about 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood. The most common reason someone might not be able to give on any given day is low hemoglobin. And Red Cross officials say that measure of iron in red blood cells can often be improved by eating more iron-rich foods or by talking to your doctor about taking iron supplements.
“The good thing is, most deferrals are for short periods of time,” said Duncan Fox. “Most of the time, people can monitor and address the cause, and then come back to give blood again.”
Donors with high blood pressure, for instance, can give blood as long as their condition is controlled. And diabetics can give if their blood sugar is controlled with diet, oral medication or with most insulins. Some cancer survivors can also donate. Donors with a history of nonhematologic cancer must be cancer-free for one year, have completed all their treatments, and meet all other eligibility criteria.
“We encourage anyone who is in good general health to consider giving blood,” said Duncan Fox. “If you like to help people, the Red Cross is the place to be, and has the right volunteer opportunity just for you.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
[list type=”red”]
[li]Saturday, Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of the Covenant in the Meeting Room, located at 10001 Coldwater Road in Fort Wayne. Come to donate and receive a Major League tumbler. Please call 438-2801 to schedule your blood donation appointment.[/li]
[li]Saturday, Oct. 20, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Allen County Public Library in the parking lot, located at 900 Library Plaza in Fort Wayne. This blood drive is held during the Zombie Walk Event.[/li]
[li]Sunday, Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Blackhawk Ministries in the South Commons, located at 7400 E. State Boulevard in Fort Wayne. Come to donate and receive a Major League tumbler. Please call 493-0212 or go to www.blackhawkministries.org to schedule your blood donation appointment.[/li]
[li]Thursday, Oct. 25, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Belmont Beverage, located at 3309 N. Anthony Boulevard in Fort Wayne. Come to donate and receive a Major League tumbler. Please call 424-4604 to schedule your blood donation appointment.[/li]
[li]Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Zanesville United Brethren Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 3092 W. Broadway in Zanesville. Come to donate and receive a Major League tumbler. Please call (260) 418-5825 to schedule your blood donation appointment.[/li]
[li]Monday, Oct. 29, from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Acceptance Insurance, located at 202 E. Petit Ave. in Fort Wayne. Come to donate and receive one free admission to The Haunted Cave.[/li]
[li]Monday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Public Safety Academy, located at 7602 Patriot Crossing in Fort Wayne. Please email mshady1@ivytech.edu to schedule your blood donation appointment.[/li]
[li]Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Parkview Hospital, located at 2200 Randallia in Fort Wayne. Come to donate and receive a Major League tumbler.[/li]
[li]Wednesday, Oct. 31, and Thursday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Indiana Purdue University by the Science Building/SHRM, located at 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. in Fort Wayne. Come to donate and receive one free admission to The Haunted Cave. Please go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “ipfw” to schedule your blood donation appointment. This blood drive is sponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).[/li]
[/list]
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:
[list type=”red”]
[li]Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.[/li]
[li]Wednesday and Thursday: noon – 6 p.m.[/li]
[li]Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.[/li]
[/list]Platelet pheresis donation (call 1-800-589-8127 or 260-480-8299 to schedule a platelet donation):
[list type=”red”]
[li]Monday: 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.[/li]
[li]Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.[/li]
[li]Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.[/li]
[li]Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.[/li]
[li]Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.[/li]
[li]Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – noon[/li]
[li]Sunday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.[/li]
[/list]
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): **
[list type=”red”]
[li]Monday through Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.[/li]
[li]Thursday through Saturday: 6 a.m. – noon *[/li]
[li]* 2nd Thursday of the month: noon – 6 p.m.[/li]
[/list]
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcross.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana and Ohio), 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 60 hospitals. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at https://blog.redcross.org.
Related Images:
