Red Cross blood drive set May 7 in Chinook

Havre Daily News staff

The American Red Cross will be at Wallner Hall at 330 Ohio St. in Chinook Tuesday, May 7, from 12:30-6 p.m. to collect blood from donors. 

The goal is 40 viable pints but the drive has 58 slots to fill.  Everyone eligible to donate is encouraged to do so.

Currently the Red Cross has a critical need for type O blood donations and urges type O donors, as well as eligible donors of all blood types, to give now to ensure lifesaving patient care isn’t impacted this spring. 

Blood donors are needed now to help ensure blood is available for patients whose survival depends on transfusions.  

Blood is needed for accident victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. 

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need of transfusions.

People who know someone who has never donated before, or hasn’t donated in a long time, are asked encourage them to donate.

Any healthy person age 18, or age 16 or 17 with a signed parental consent, or older and weighing at least 110 pounds is eligible and encouraged to donate blood.     

Valid identification is required for all blood donations — driver’s license or school ID are acceptable. 

Parental consents for those 16 or 17 years of age can be picked up at the high school office or at the registration table at Wallner Hall the day of the drive.  

People with an appointment can save up to 15 minutes at the donation by completing the health history online the day of the drive. All you have to do is visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass/.

Before donating it is recommended that people get a good night’s sleep; have a good breakfast or lunch; drink extra water and fluids to replace the volume they will donate; try to avoid beverages with caffeine; eat iron-rich foods, and avoid fatty foods.

Appointments are highly encouraged by the American Red Cross. So, if people have not made an appointment to donate, they can go on-line at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 (1-800-REDCROSS). Walk-ins are always welcome. Walk-ins will be available throughout the day along with the scheduled appointments.