June Blood Drive Surpasses Goal
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[
The bi-monthly blood drive sponsored by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary exceeded their goal of 64 units on Wednesday, June 13, at the American Legion Hall in Chester. With 89 area residents registering to donate, 70 units were successfully collected. This is the best donor record since October 2008. The truly amazing fact is that each donation is separated into platelets, plasma and red blood cells giving these 70 units the potential of saving up to 210 lives.
Anyone who came to the American Legion to attempt donation was rewarded with a "Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve" T-shirt and a chance to win a Gibson guitar. Regular donors were recognized with a commemorative Red Cross pin denoting the number of units donated during 2011. Also any youth ages 16 to 21 who donated were given the opportunity to register to win a $5000 scholarship.
This month a beautifully decorated cake was delivered by the American Red Cross Hospital Department in honor of the presentation of a recognition plaque to Mr. Steve Hayes, Administrator of Memorial Hospital, and the many Hospital Auxiliary volunteers who make this drive possible. The donors also enjoyed a lunch of sloppy Joes from Rozier's Country Market, snacks provided by the American Red Cross, and cake and drinks courtesy of Gilster-Mary Lee and Chester Dairy.
Memorial Hospital and the Hospital Auxiliary wish to thank the area donors who faithfully attend their drives and to encourage others to join this endeavor. Especially notable at this drive were the numerous teenagers who gave up vacation time to "roll up their sleeves". Individuals who are at least 17 years of age with a photo ID as proof of age (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate. There is no upper age limit.
After donation, the blood undergoes several tests including blood type, hepatitis, and HIV. Then it becomes available for hospital patients. It takes 48 hours to test and process blood, so in an emergency situation, it is the blood already donated that saves lives.
According to FDA regulations, a person may donate blood every 56 days, platelets up to 24 times a year and double red cells every 112 days. If you are not feeling well the day of the drive, for your own protection and to protect the hospital patient receiving your blood, please rest, recover, and return to the next blood drive to make your lifesaving donation.
The next drive is scheduled for Wednesday, August 15, from 12:45 until 5:45 P.M. at the same location. Remember to eat meals rich in iron, drink plenty of liquids, refrain from exercising the day of donation, and relax knowing how great you will feel for helping to save a life.