Saratoga community blood drive ready to get pumping

The Saratoga Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring a community blood drive next Tuesday from noon until 5:30 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish Hall.

According to the United Blood Services, more people would donate if only they knew the importance of blood. Doctors use blood to sustain life, and there is no substitute for blood. It cannot be manufactured, and it is the ‘gift of life’ that only human beings can give to one another.

“Blood donors save lives,” said organizer Val Larscheid. “Several of them, in fact, because each donation can be separated into different components: red blood cells, used by surgical patients; plasma, given to those who have suffered burns or trauma; platelets, often needed by patients with cancer; and cryoprecipitate, a special blood clotting factor used to help people with hemophilia. Your one donation can help as many as four patients.”

Blood donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors must bring with them identification containing their legal name and one of the following: date of birth, social security number, United Blood Services assigned donor number or a photo ID. Donors also need to bring a list of the medications that they are currently taking. It would be very helpful for donors to drink plenty of water and eat well the 24 hours before they come to donate.

The main reason people don’t donate blood is because no one has asked them. Please consider this a personal invitation to donate at the Saratoga Community Blood Drive. It’s simple, there is little, if any, pain and it is one of the most important, rewarding and compassionate acts of service a person can do.

United Blood Services donors can now complete their health history questionnaire on the day of their donation, which can reduce the in-person interview to only a few essential follow-up questions. Simple instructions can be found via the “Health History Questionnaire” link on the United Blood Services website, http://www.UnitedBloodServices.org. Donors who schedule their appointment online will receive a link to the questionnaire in their appointment reminder email before the blood drive.

To make an appointment to donate, visit http://www.bloodhero.com (sponsor code is “toga”) or call Larscheid at 307-326-8603 or 307-321-8865. St. Ann’s Parish Hall is located at 218 W. Spring Ave. in Saratoga.