Bloodmobile coming to town to help give the gift of life
What are you giving for Christmas this year? Let's see … I'm giving Christmas cookies, toys, clothes and blood. Blood? Yes, blood!
On Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 the Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) will park the "bloodmobile" in front of Bonner General Hospital and I want to be the first in line to give the gift of life this holiday season.
If you've never donated blood, it's easier than you think. The first step is to make sure you're plenty hydrated and not over-hungry, then just come down to the hospital. You'll check in with INBC staff, answer a couple of questions about your health history, get a quick physical and then it's ready, set, donate!
Why donate blood now? According to the INBC, this is the time of year when blood shortages occur. Many of us are just too busy with holiday activities to find the time to donate. And the cold and flu season takes its toll, as you can't donate if you've got a bug. However, increased accidents and illness during the winter months can greatly increase the need for blood products, creating a perilous imbalance in the supply versus demand ratio.
INBC is the regional supplier for nearly one million people from eastern Washington to North Idaho. This year, patients in their service area received more than 50,000 blood product transfusions. This means that every day INBC needs at least 150 blood donations from volunteers just to keep up with demand.
The major reasons for people needing blood products are cancer, heart and blood vessel diseases, and emergencies such as car accidents and burns. Some people need regular transfusions just to survive. As our population ages, demand for blood products will continue to rise.
According to Steve McCormick, vice president of technical services at INBC, there is always a need for blood donations, but always more so during the holidays. "Right now we are specifically low on types O negative, A positive and B positive," said McCormick. "Actually, we're low on just about everything, so donations are really important this time of year."
To make an appointment to donate blood on Dec. 21, 2007, please call 263-1441, or just come by between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.. For more information call INBC at (800) 423-0151 or check out its Web site at www.inbc2.org.
? Nikki Luttmann is a community development specialist at Bonner General Hospital.
Tips for a Successful Blood Donation
1. Bring photo identification
2. Drink plenty of fluids
3. Eat a light, nutritious meal before you donate.
4. Make sure you are healthy on the day of your scheduled donation.
5. If you have a fear of needles, please let your phlebotomist know ahead of time.
6. Set aside about two hours from start to finish, and give yourself adequate time to recover from your donation.