Blood Drives Help Children With Cancer
Consider a different way to give back to the heart of the community by donating blood. The next local drive will be held in Waukon on Monday, September 8, at the First Baptist Church located in south Waukon.
Cancer treatment is tough on anyone, but especially hard on children.
- More than 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every year in the US.
- Pediatric patients use 652,000 units of blood annually.
- Patients battling cancer use 25% of the US blood supply.
- A child undergoing chemotherapy may use up to eight platelet units per week.
- Individuals with cancer may need blood due to anemia and/or thrombocytopenia caused by cancer, or as a result of treatments like chemo, radiation or blood loss during surgery.
Make a difference in a child’s life by donating blood. 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 Monday, September 8, at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.
To schedule your appointment, please call the LifeServe Blood Center at 800-287-4903.
