Mayor Mark Senter will be hosting another Blood Drive on Saturday, July 18th from 8:00 am til 12:00 pm at the Plymouth Farmer’s Market. The South Bend Medical Foundation will have their Mobile Blood Drive unit parked in the parking lot at River Park Square. You can call the Mayor’s Office at 574-936-6717 to schedule an appointment or you can visit the South Bend Medical Foundation’s website at www.givebloodnow.com and schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Whole Blood Donation is the most common type of blood donation. During this process approximately one pint of whole blood is donated. Each unit of whole blood is separated into 3 main parts: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Therefore, with each whole blood donation, up to 3 lives can be saved!
Donating whole blood is safe and simple. The entire process, from registration to refreshments, takes approximately one hour. Strict procedures for every step of the process ensure the safety of the donor and of the blood supply. Whole blood donors can donate every 56 days or up to six times a year. You must wait 56 days between whole blood donations to allow plenty of time for your body to replenish red cells.
About 750 whole blood donations are needed each week in our community to maintain an adequate supply for area hospitals and doctor offices. These donations help patients heal and recover, and they save lives. Even more donations are needed during the summer months and around the holidays. During these times, the number of donations drop and the amount of blood being used increases. All blood donated at the Mayor’s Blood drive stays in our local hospitals. You are truly saving your neighbor’s life!
Whole Blood Donor Qualifications
• First time donors need a photo ID.
• Must wait 56 days between donations.
• Must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 years old with signed parental consent
• Must weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Must be symptom free for 72 hours after a cold or influenza.
• Must wait 4 weeks after getting a tattoo or body piercing by a professional entity in a regulated state.
• Area of tattoo or piercing must be fully healed.
• Must not be pregnant
Medications
Most people taking medications, even prescription medications (including treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol), are accepted as blood donors. Therefore, please do not self-defer; discuss with the screener.
Temporary Deferral
1 year: Anyone who has traveled to a malarial risk area. Anyone who has received blood or plasma or has had certain major surgeries. Anyone who has had a tattoo or body piercing applied in a non-regulated establishment or state. Anyone who has had an accidental needlestick. Anyone who has had sexual contact with those in a high-risk group for AIDS. 24 Hour: Invasive dental work such as root canal, tooth extraction or oral surgery
REMINDERS: You need to eat a meal before donating blood. You should refrain from strenuous activity for 24 hours after donating blood.
