Pattonville’s Key Club hosted its annual American Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, February 14. Many students signed up to donate their blood for a good cause.
“I like saving lives. It makes me feel more confident. The worst part is when they prick your finger for iron and that part’s over,” Jed Menard, a third time donator said.
Here are some facts about donating blood from the American Red Cross that you may not know:
- Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.
- Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments.
- Every blood donor is given a mini-physical, checking the donor’s temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood.
- The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 min.
- The average adult has about 10 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation.
- A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days, or double red cells every 112 days.
- A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 7 days apart, but a maximum of 24 times a year.
- All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be released to hospitals.
- Information you give to the American Red Cross during the donation process is confidential. It may not be released without your permission except as directed by law.
- By donating one pint of blood, it can save three people
http://pattonvilletoday.smugmug.com/Events/Blood-DriveKey-Club
