The need for blood never takes a holiday

By ANNA LEE JAMES

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Adrian on Tuesday, September 6 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at the Adrian Optimist Building. Today’s medical advancements allow patients to live longer, healthier lives. This creates a greater demand for blood products than ever before. With less than eight percent of the population donating blood, we continuously drive to find new donors. Many have been deferred for minor medical reasons and have not returned to donate. Most every one of these could donate if they would only try once again. Most medicines are acceptable, including medicine for high blood pressure and diabetes.

Make sure you eat at your regular mealtime and drink plenty of fluids. Eat foods rich in iron, as blood needs to be at a high level for you to donate. You must be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 lbs. and feeling well the day of donation. Bring an ID of some type. Bring along a neighbor or friend and visit as you do your best to help save lives. Stop today and mark your calendar or something so you will be sure to remember Tuesday, September 6. I know it is following a big holiday, however the need for blood never takes a holiday.