Rick Patrick
Riverbend News
Every two seconds of every day, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Maybe it's a patient undergoing heart surgery. Maybe it's a young child who was just involved in a terrible car accident. Maybe is a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Maybe it's a sickle cell patient who receives frequent blood transfusions in order to help her feel pain-free. Maybe it's a member of your own family. Every year, a total of 4.5 million lives are saved by a blood transfusion. One blood donation may help save up to three lives. Of course, none of this would be possible without donors willing to give up about an hour of their time and some of their potentially life-saving blood. Simply put, there is no substitute for blood when a patient needs a transfusion. Donating blood is safe and convenient.
The OneBlood Big Red Bus will be at the Live Oak City Administration Building on Friday, Aug. 14, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., for a blood drive. Donors will receive a free OneBlood tote bag, a $10 e-gift card and wellness check, which includes: a blood pressure check, iron count, pulse, a temperature check and a cholesterol screening. Blood donors must be at least 16 years of age and an ID is required. All blood types are needed, but there is a particularly great need for Type O positive and Type O negative blood.
To make an appointment, visit www.oneblood.org/donate and use sponsor code #61351. The City Administration Building is located at 101 White Ave. S.E., in Live Oak.