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Blood drive set for Tuesday in Chinook

Press release

A Red Cross blood drive is set for Tuesday in Chinook at Wallner Hall. 

The Red Cross will be accepting walk-ins only from 12:30 p.m. to 1p.m. 

Appointments and walk-ins  will be accepted between 1 and 6 p.m.   

Appointments are highly encouraged by the American Red Cross.  So, people who have not made an appointment can go on-line at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 — 1-800-REDCROSS.  

Any healthy person age 18 or older, or ages 16 or 17 with a signed parental consent, 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.  

For people with an appointment, they can save up to 15 minutes at their donation by completing their Rapid Pass and the health history online the day of the drive. All they have to do is visit http://redcrossblood.org/rapidpass. Rapid Pass can only be completed the day of the drive and only if they have an appointment.

Before donating, it is recommended that people get a good night’s sleep; have a good breakfast or lunch and drink extra water and fluids to replace the volume they will donate.  

The Red Cross also encourages people who are donating to eat foods high in iron such as meat and eggs, seafood, vegetables, bread and cereal, fruit and beans. Foods and drugs that can decrease iron absorption include coffee or tea, chocolate, high fiber foods and some medications like antacids, should be avoided before donating.  

People need to keep in mind that every two seconds, someone in America needs blood and hospitals need 44,000 units of blood every day to meet patient needs.

 

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