Blood Assurance To Hold Blood Drive At Redmond
Redmond Regional Medical Center will host a Blood Assurance Blood Drive on Monday, July 14 from 9:00am to 1:00pm and 2:20pm to 5:00pm. The drive will be held at the front entrance of Redmond.
With the summer months upon us, more cars hitting the road for summer vacation. Unfortunately, more traffic and events usually leads to more accidents and emergencies, making the need for all blood types strong. You can never be too prepared for an emergency and no one sees this reality as often as Amy Raiford, Administrative Assistant for the Lab and Blood Drive Coordinator. “We are the second largest user of Blood Assurance products so it is very important for us and the community to donate to Blood Assurance because we use what we donate,” Amy stated. “Additionally, all of the blood donated during our blood drives stays in the Rome area so the community will directly benefit from all who choose to donate.”
Along with Amy, Redmond is proud of their effort in helping others to receive the gift of life. According to Blood Assurance, 350 units of blood are needed to supply the hospitals and healthcare facilities they provide services to on a daily basis. The hospital and the community both benefit from the drives, so the community of Rome and Floyd County is encouraged to participate in the Blood Drive on July 8.
In the past, Redmond has only had whole blood donations only. At this drive donors will be given an option to donate whole blood or to give two units of red cells, known as an ALYX donation. ALYX is an automated system that allows the donor to give two units of red cells while the rest of the blood components are returned to the donor. ALYX donors must meet all the requirements of whole blood donors. Additionally, male donors must be 5’1” or taller and weigh at least 130 pounds and female donors must be 5’5” or taller and weigh at least 150 pounds. A typical ALYX donation takes a bit longer than that of a whole blood donation.
There are some situations that may defer you from giving blood:
o A tattoo – must wait 1 year from application
o An un-sterile piercing – must wait 1 year. Professional piercing is okay, no deferral.
o Heart surgery – must wait 6 months from date of surgery
o Blood transfusion – must wait 1 year
o Surgery – okay if doctor has released
o Pending surgery – no giving
o Pregnant – no giving
o Pacemaker – must wait 6 months from date of procedure
o Cancer – must be cancer-free for 5 years
o Yellow jaundice – if contracted after age 10, no giving
o Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C – no giving
o On Antibiotics or have an infection – must wait until infection is cleared and no longer taking antibiotics
o AIDS or HIV positive – no giving
Blood Assurance will give all donors a t-shirt, snack and drink. Additionally, Blood Assurance is giving away a $50.00 gas card each week. To sign up to donate, please contact Amy Raiford at 706-802-3051.
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