United Blood Services will be holding blood drives over the next several weeks to give area residents a chance to donate and help fill the needs for blood supplies in the regional area. According to UBS Donor Recruitment Representative Sean Richey, there is just over a one-day supply for our local hospitals, including Brownwood Regional said Richey.
“We have been seeing an average of 25-35% deferral rates lately, meaning that we lose about 1/3 of the potential donors who show up to donate. There is always a need for O- and O+ blood types,” said Richey. “Although 60% of the population is eligible to donate, sadly only 5% do. Statistically, about half of the population will need blood or a blood product at some point during their lifetimes.”
There is always a need for blood and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in the community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most people will need donated blood sometime in their lives.
Several appointments are available at local drives to be held within the next few weeks. Make an online appointment today by clicking the link of the blood drive location you wish to attend or visit http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/ for more information.
Below is a list of blood drives scheduled for the area, click the dates for additional appointment information:
Oct. 14 – Victory Life Academy 2:30-5:30 p.m.
901 CC Woodson Road
Donors will receive a donor t-shirt and a free cholesterol check.
Oct. 17 – Howard Payne University (in front of Winebrenner Hall) 10:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
This is the annual Battle of the Halls blood drive. Donors will receive a special donor t-shirt, a free cholesterol check, and a vote for their favorite HPU residence hall. The winning hall will receive a trophy and bragging rights until the next Battle drive in the Spring of 2017. All HPU Alumni, supporters and students are welcome to come donate and vote for their favorite hall!
Oct. 18 – Docs Drug Store 12:00 -3:00 p.m.
1210 CC Woodson Rd in Early
Docs has been a long-time supporter of United Blood Services. Donors will receive a free movie pass (in the form of 600 Hero points that can be redeemed online for the pass instantly) and a free cholesterol check.
Oct. 20 – 3M Brownwood Plant
This drive is open only to people who can access the 3M plant.
Oct 20 – Redstone Park
2410 Songbird Circle
This is their annual “Our Community Cares” event. They will have at least 34 local organizations participating. There will be free food, free entertainment, Medicare open enrollment, free vision screening, and much, much more. Donors will receive a free movie pass (in the form of 600 Hero points that can be redeemed online for the pass instantly) and a free cholesterol check.
Walk ins are welcome at any of the drives, but an appointment is always recommended. Donors can visit www.BloodHero.com and search for their drive and create their own appointment. To save time, donors can visit www.UnitedBloodServices.org on the day of their donation (not before), click on the green fast track button, and complete their health screening online. This will generate a barcode and the donor should save this barcode and show the techs upon their arrival at the donation site. This will save the donor about 20 minutes from the usual donation time.