Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

POLK COUNTY—Donated blood is a lifesaving gift most healthy people can give. The community is encouraged to donate blood at the following locations in Polk County to help those who have been seriously injured and need blood products to help them recover: 

The first opportunity to donate blood will be on Thursday, May 16, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the Basement Community Room of Steps to Hope, located at 60 Ward St. in Columbus. The second opportunity will be on Tuesday, May 28, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the Congregational Church of Tryon, UCC, located at 210 Melrose Ave.

Every day, the American Red Cross must collect about 12,000 blood donations to meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions. While all blood types are needed, type O-negative donors are especially important. Because it is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients of any blood type, type O-negative blood is what emergency personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. 

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. To make an appointment or to learn more, call 1-800-RED CROSS. 

 

Submitted by Gail Barksdale