Give the life-saving gift of blood this holiday season

While you're giving gifts this holiday season, consider giving one that could save someone's life-give blood.

This Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, the Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC) will bring the bloodmobile to the parking lot in front of Bonner General Hospital and will accept blood donors from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

If you've never donated blood, now is a perfect opportunity to give this most precious and vitally-needed gift.

Donating blood is an easy and rewarding experience that usually only takes about 45 minutes.

Simply check in with INBC staff, answer a few simple (and confidential) questions about your health history and get a quick check of your pulse, temperature and blood pressure.

Once you've completed the screening process, you will be escorted to a donor bed where a phlebotomist will draw a pint of blood from a vein in your arm.

After you're finished donating, you'll be asked to wait a few minutes while you receive a snack such as juice and cookies. It's that simple.

The Inland Northwest Blood Center is the regional supplier for nearly one million people in Eastern Washington to North Idaho.

Blood shortages are particularly common during the holidays, making it a particularly useful time to donate.

If you'd like to donate blood this Friday, please call 263-1441 or come by the hospital between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information about donating blood, call INBC at (800) 423-0151 or visit its Web site at www.inbc2.org.

Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint.