Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The New Rockford community hosted a blood drive with Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, on Nov. 14, at First Lutheran Church, which helped collect a total of 57 units of blood products for patients in need.
A total of 59 individuals volunteered to donate blood and 52 individuals were able to donate at the Vitalant blood drive on Nov. 14. A total of five donors also came forward to donate Power Red Cells (2RBC) which collects two units of red blood cells while returning platelets, plasma and a saline solution back to the donor. There were two people who volunteered for the first time.
Vitalant expressed their gratitude to Gail Weisenburger, who coordinated the drive, and First Lutheran Church which sponsored the blood drive, as well as others who assisted the day of the drive: Val Weisenburger, Bev Bjornson, Eunice Throlson, Marydean Weinmann, Nicholas Berglund, Kaden Jensen, and Matthew Duchscherer.
Vitalant strives to keep a 5-day supply of every blood type on the shelf at all times to be able to meet the needs of patients across the region. Donations from O-negative donors, the universal blood type, are especially important this time of year due to increased accidents and trauma cases.
Vitalant is the only blood provider to nearly 70 hospitals across the region. The blood supply is dependent on selfless donations from volunteer donors to ensure the lifesaving needs of the region are met.
About 30% of Vitalant’s blood supply goes to cancer patients across the region and one in seven people entering the hospital will need blood. Those relying on blood in the region receive that life-saving blood from Vitalant.
Donors can make a convenient appointment to give blood at http://www.bloodhero.com or by calling 877-25-VITAL. With each donation, donors receive a free total cholesterol test and earn points in Vitalant’s donor rewards program. The next blood drive at this location is planned to be held on: March 24, 2020.
Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Health History Questionnaire the day they donate on http://www.vitalant.org.
