Blood center draws blood, plans two more draws in October

The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center mobile unit recently collected 103 units of blood at three area blood drives.

Thirty-three units were drawn Sept. 19 at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield.

Fifty-eight units were drawn Sept. 20 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Building in Fairfield.

Twelve units were drawn Sept. 20 at the Batavia Senior Center.

The blood center reminds area residents that one pint of blood can held save the lives of up to three patients, one out of every five people entering a hospital will need blood products and donors can give blood every eight weeks.

The blood center has two blood draws scheduled.

The first is from 2-6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the downstairs dining room of First United Methodist Church in Fairfield.

Donors who last gave blood on or before Aug. 15 or eligible to participate.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling Doris Eklund at 472-4303.

The second draw is set from 2:30-7 p.m. Oct. 17 in the fellowship hall of Prairieview United Methodist Church at 2731 Highway 78, Ollie.

Donors who last gave blood on or before Aug. 22 are eligible to participate.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling Ann Snyder at 319-456-6708.

According to officials at the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that only takes about an hour to complete.

Donors must be at least 16 years old, be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.

A blood donor card or other photo identification is required to donate; 16-year-olds must present a signed parental consent form each time they donate blood until reaching the age of 17. The forms are available from blood center offices.

People with high blood pressure and diabetics are eligible to donate blood.