McHenry County Farm Bureau Women's Committee and Heartland Blood Bank are co-sponsoring a blood drive at the Farm Bureau building from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. Please keep in mind that you can only donate blood once every eight weeks. Registration is not required, but is appreciated; please register by calling the Farm Bureau office at 815-338-1520.
"Every 2 seconds, someone needs blood. It only takes about an hour of your time to make a huge difference in someone's life," said Ann McKanna, Vice President of New Business and Development with Heartland Blood Centers.
A single patient can use large amounts of blood. Car accident and trauma victims need as many as 50 or more red cell transfusions, and burn victims can use up to 50 platelet transfusions. Platelets help blood to clot and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live. Plasma helps maintain blood pressure, carries blood cells, nutrients, and supplies critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity.
Heartland Blood Centers works with over 2,000 organizations to sponsor blood drives throughout the community. Heartland relies solely on volunteer blood donors and blood drive coordinators to provide the 166,000 units of blood needed yearly to supply 32 hospitals. Heartland, and the numerous patients who benefit from your donation, ask that you visit a center or mobile blood drive this May. Your blood donation could be the life-saving transfusion for your neighbor, friend, or family member.
To be a blood donor, individuals must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. Donors who have traveled outside the United States within the past 12 months should contact Heartland at 1-800-7TO-GIVE to determine eligibility.
Heartland Blood Centers, a non-for-profit, independent blood center, has been providing blood products to patients since 1943. Heartland Blood Centers' mission is to provide and maintain an adequate supply of blood and blood products for area hospitals to draw upon to meet the needs of patients.