Donate blood at one of two community blood drives in Bastrop County this month and save some lives.
“Every two seconds someone needs blood,” said Cindy Rowe, spokesperson for the Blood Center of Central Texas. “There is no substitute for human blood. Everyone has it, everyone needs it - so why not share.”
Currently, the Blood Center of Central Texas is in high demand for Type O Negative blood donors due to a critical level of blood supply on its shelves. Type O blood is the most requested blood type from hospitals because it is the universal blood type that can be transfused to anyone.
“Summer is historically a season when donations are low because school is out and people are on vacation,” Rowe said. “People are not responding as well as we had hoped.”
According to Rowe, schools — including high schools and universities — account for 20 percent of the center’s total blood supply.
“When schools are out, donations drop, but the need does not decrease,” she said. “Actually, sometimes it increases because there is more potential for accidents — people are out and about, boating and traveling.”
The Blood Center is the exclusive provider of the community blood supply for more than 37 medical facilities in a 10-county service area of Central Texas.
“By donating blood and understanding that life is in your hands, you are helping to ensure that life-sustaining blood is available whenever you or a loved one needs it,” Rowe said.
Between Bastrop and Smithville, 527 donations were collected from community blood drives last year.
Once again, local residents will have the opportunity to help shore up the critically-needed supplies.
The community of Smithville will hold a blood drive at the First United Methodist Church, 400 Olive St. on July 27 from 9 a.m. to noon.
To make an appointment, sign up at the church or call 512-237-3325. Walk-ins are welcome.
On July 29, an indoor blood drive will be held at Bastrop Mina Masonic Lodge No. 1456, 601 Main St., from 12-6 p.m.
“Donating blood is very important, especially in emergency situations when the need for blood is at its highest,” said Loy Ripple, blood drive coordinator and mason. “I am giving back to the community for which my lodge does a lot of here in Bastrop.”
Mina Masonic Lodge holds six blood drives a year - one every two months.
To make an appointment, contact Ripple at 512-773-0661 or by email at loy@bastropdaily.com. Walk-ins are welcome.
Donors must be at least 17 years of age; weigh at least 115 lbs.; be in general good health; provide a photo ID; eat a good meal one to six hours prior to donating blood and a good meal afterwards; and drink plenty of water or non-caffeinated beverages before and after donating blood.
For more information about becoming a donor and upcoming drives, visit the Blood Center’s website at www.inyourhands.org.
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