The Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring a community blood drive Wednesday and Thursday, July 23 and 24, in the West Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Ceter. United Blood Services of Reno techcnicians will interview donors and draw the donated blood. Drive hours are noon to 6:30 p.m. July 23 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 24.
UBS has a special need for type O blood, the universal donor. Less than 50 percent of the population has type O blood, but hospitals order a 50 percent supply of it. UBS provides blood to 25 hospitals throughout Nevada and Northern California, including Humboldt General.
Those with type O-, A- and B- are asked to consider making a double red cell donation which helps trauma victims and surgery patients. For this, males must be at least 5'1" and 130 pounds and females at least 5'5" and weigh 150 pounds.
In addition to saving, those donating will have the chance of winning a 2013 Toyota Corolla four-door sedan, courtesy of Northern Nevada Toyota dealers.
Potential donors are those 16 years and older who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in reasonable good health. Those who have visited a dentist in the past 24 hours or taken antibiotics three days prior may not donate. A history of cancer in the last year or tattos or body piercings in the last 12 months may defer a donor for a year.
Donors should eat a low-fat meal prior to giving blood and bring with them photo identification and information on any medications they take. The virtually painless donation process takes about an hour. Auxiliary volunteers will provide fruit juice and cookies after donations.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Toddy Folgate at 623-5512 or log onto www.UnitedBloodServices.org, press donate blood and use sponsor code: Winnemucca. Donors can speed the process by completing an online health history questionaire at www.UnitedBloodServices.org/HealthHistory.html.
Blood will also be tested for cholesterol. USB sends a letter for readings above 300 mg/dl. Lower readings can be checked on the UBS website.
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