Did you know just how much blood is needed by certain patients? Here are some facts from the LifeServe Blood Center.
- Cancer patients can use up to 8 units of blood a month.
- Bone Marrow Transplant patients can use up to 2 units a day.
- Cardiovascular Surgery patient can use between 2-25 units.
- Liver Transplant patients can use up to 100 units.
- Auto/Trauma Accident patients can use up 5-100 units.
- Premature infants can use up to 1-4 units.
- Burn victims case use up to 20 units of platelets.
- Heart surgery patients can use up to 3-8 units of red cells and 1-10 units of platelets.
- Organ transplant patients can use 10-30 units of blood.
The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held on Thursday, June 30, a week earlier due to the holiday, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The blood drive will be held at the First Baptist Church in South Waukon.
Each and every blood drive matters. The results of the June 5 blood drive included 46 donors, three were first time, with a total of 52 units collected saving 156 lives!
Regular blood donors may donate blood as often as every 56 days. First time donors will find that donating blood is a safe and easy way to save lives and make a difference in the community. One single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients.
The donation process is simple:
- Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids at least four hours prior to donating.
- Bring proper identification, such as your donor card or a driver’s license.
- Complete a health history questionnaire and screening interview.
- Receive a brief health check by trained staff. This includes a check of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and blood iron levels.
- Sit back while a unit of blood, approximately one pint, is collected. This process takes around 10 minutes.
- Enjoy refreshments while relaxing for 10-15 minutes before leaving the facility.
The blood that is collected is tested carefully. In fact, all blood that is collected by any blood collection center is all tested the same, according to the federal regulations.
To help maintain Iowa’s blood supply, donate at the Waukon Community Blood Drive, on Thursday, June 30, at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Appointments are required. Please call the LifeServe Blood Center at 800-287-4903.
