LifeShare Blood Centers is hoping to raise money and provide trauma kits for law enforcement with their annual “United We Give, United We Live” blood drive. Donations will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sept. 10 and 11 at the Minden Civic Center.
For every blood donation with LifeShare during the two-day drive, the organization will donate $1 to Blue Forever for purposes of providing Belt Trauma Kits for law enforcement officers.
Blue Forever, Inc. (501c3) works to increase the awareness for police officer’s safety and to raise funds for donating lifesaving QuikClot Belt Trauma Kits (BTK*) for law enforcement officers throughout the United States.
LifeShare Blood Centers’ goal is to raise $1,500 and provide at least 25 kits within the communities it serves. Recipients of the kits will be local police and sheriff departments or state troopers local to participating blood drives and donation centers.
“The United We Give, United We Live blood drive is held in conjunction with 9/11 reminding us of our strength and resilience as a community united. Following the tragic deaths of law enforcement officers throughout our service area, we decided to dedicate this year’s drive to law enforcement and give blood donors a way to make a difference by helping provide lifesaving belt trauma kits the same time they are making a lifesaving blood donation,” Tina Hooper, spokesperson for LifeShare Blood Centers said.
According to LifeShare, an average adult has 10 pints of blood in their body and typically if someone needs blood during a surgery, at least three units of blood is transfused, however, a newborn baby has about a cup of blood in its body.
Mary Jo Henderson, Lifeshare representative, says a successful blood drive is not only measured by the number of units collected for the community’s blood supply, but an equally important factor is the safety and health of the donors.
“Donors can donate blood if they have medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes,” Henderson said. “The blood donation criteria is passing the mini-physical that includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and an iron level. In general, volunteer blood donors must be 16 or older and in good health.”
Donors must bring a picture ID to donate. In addition, donors are urged to eat iron rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, raisins, orange juice or red meat before donation.
Henderson said donors are excluded if they are on Coumadin (a blood thinner) or on antibiotics. Donors must be off antibiotics for three days before donating.
In addition, donors must bring a letter from their doctor if they have had a heart attack, stints or heart surgery before donating. Donors can donate if they are taking Plavix or aspirin.
Reportedly, one unit of blood can be separated into several components: red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Red blood cells are needed for surgeries and trauma patients, while plasma is used for burn patients and cancer patients.
Platelets promote blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live, according to americasblood.org. Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, as well as patients undergoing surgery may require platelet transfusions to survive.