UnityPoint Health-Grinnell hosts blood drive

GRINNELL — UnityPoint Health-Grinnell Regional Medical Center is partnering with LifeServe Blood Center to host a blood drive Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The LifeServe blood drive will take place in GRMC’s Tomasek Conference Room on the first floor of the medical center in Grinnell. Donors should enter through the main entrance, located on the south side of the building at 210 Fourth Avenue, and follow posted signs to the Tomasek Conference Room.

To schedule an appointment to donate, visit donor.lifeservebloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/188269 or call (800) 287-4093.

All donors should be in overall good health and are encouraged to be rested and well-nourished at the time of donation. Masks are encouraged during respiratory illness season.

Blood donors should screen themselves for fever before donation appointments.

Donors must be at least 16 years or older. If first time donors are 16 or 17 years old, they must have a signed LifeServe Blood Center parent/guardian permission form.

Donors should drink plenty of fluids, eat a good meal and get plenty of rest before donation.

The entire donation experience takes about an hour.

One pint of whole, donated blood can save up to three lives, according to LifeServe.

Donors can find out their blood type, blood pressure, pulse, temperature and hemoglobin (iron) levels when they give blood.

The body replaces donated blood with fresh blood, says LifeServe. It’s like an oil change for your body.

One in seven people entering a hospital need blood, and fewer than 10% of the eligible U.S. population donates annually.

For additional information about LifeServe Blood Centers and donor eligibility, visit lifeservebloodcenter.org.