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American Red Cross Schedules Blood Drive at
the McCarty Center
The American
Red Cross has scheduled a blood drive for Monday,
April 9, at the J. D. McCarty Center's conference
center. Norman area residents will have the
opportunity to help hospital patients who need
blood by donating from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
in meeting room one of the conference center.
The McCarty Center is located at 2002 East Robinson
in Norman.
All donors will receive
a free t-shirt, plus a chance to win a three-day,
two-night trip down Oklahoma's Route 66.
"Many people do not
know they can donate every 56 days," says
Delisa English, CEO, American Red Cross, Southwest
Region-Oklahoma. "If all donors would give
every 56 days, the blood supply would not be
in jeopardy and we would always be prepared."
According to the American
Red Cross, just one blood donation can help
to save up to three lives. This is because the
blood is separated into three components…red
blood cells, platelets and plasma.
Red blood cells carry
oxygen to different parts of your body. They
are used to treat people with anemia, transplant
patients and automobile accident victims to
name a few.
Platelets provide a clotting
mechanism that helps stop bleeding and are also
important in treating cancer patients.
Plasma is the fluid that
carries blood cells to different parts of the
body. It is used to treat shock and serious
burns and can help patients with blood disorders.
Blood is a perishable
item so there is always a need for blood. Most
of us will need a blood transfusion at some
point during our lives. In the U. S. a blood
transfusion is needed about every two seconds.
The demand continues to outpace the supply,
in part because of today's lifesaving medical
techniques, which require more blood transfusions.
Sixty percent of the general public is eligible
to donate blood, but only five percent five
give blood.
To donate, a person must
be in good health, weight at least 110 pounds
and be at least 17 years old. The Red Cross
reminds donors to bring a photo I. D. when coming
to donate.
A blood donation appointment
can be made by calling the J. D. McCarty Center
at 307.2800. Ask to speak to the blood drive
coordinator at extension 2807.
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