Give Someone a 'summer of stories' through blood donations

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  The American Red Cross encourages AEDC personnel to donate blood Aug. 12-16 with the Red Cross Bus and give someone a chance to tell their summer stories.

Giving blood can extend someone's life, therefore giving them a chance to experience summer events like watching fireworks, having a picnic or rooting for the home team.

The Red Cross Bus is a mobile blood collection lab that will move to a different location each day while stationed at AEDC. Employees may donate at any of the five locations during work hours, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., with approval of the supervisor.

The dates and corresponding locations are: Aug. 12 - the Engine Test Facility office building 877; Aug. 13 - the Propulsion Wind Tunnel office building 740; Aug. 14 - the Administration and Engineering building 100; Aug. 15 - the Carroll building 1103; and Aug. 16 - the Main Auditorium building 452.

Most healthy individuals who are at least 17 years of age and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood. Individuals 18 years of age or younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

Getting ready for your donation

· Hydrate - Be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of your donation.

· Wear Something Comfortable - Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.

· Maintain a Healthy Level of Iron in Your Diet Before Donating - If possible, include iron-rich foods in your diet, especially in the weeks before your donation.

· Bring a List of Medications You Are Taking - The Red Cross will need to know about any prescription and /or over the counter medications that may be in your system.

· Bring an ID - Bring either your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of identification.

The donation process, from the time you arrive until the time you leave, takes about one hour. The donation itself is only about eight to ten minutes on average. After the donation, continue to hydrate and try not to exert yourself too much for the rest of the day.

The Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region serves nearly 60 hospitals and must have approximately 600 people donate blood or platelets each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients.

To donate blood at other locations see www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation.

To watch a video on the donation process, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKvcwYpLesI&feature=player_embedded.

For more AEDC blood donation guidelines and information, contact Leslie Myers at 454-5387.