CBC Blood Drive Enlists Sedalia's Help to Save Lives

There will be a blood drive with the Community Blood Center today (Dec. 10) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 200 South Limit.

Community Blood Center is the primary supplier of blood and blood components to 70 hospitals in both Kansas and Missouri. Community Blood Center needs to collect 580 units of life-saving blood each day to meet the needs of its hospital partners and patients. The group experiences a shortage in donations during the winter months due to busy holiday schedules and inclement weather.

Donating blood is one of easiest ways to support your community. Your donation will save the life of an individual right here, right now. And it's a very vital way to make a real difference. This blood donation may seem like a small drop in the bucket, but you couldn't be more wrong. Every full utilization is made of nearly every blood donation.

Elements of blood can be separated by centrifuge. Plasma can be preserved by freezing. Each blood element can be used to treat different diseases. Blood is now tested for diseases it may carry, and any blood testing positive for a disease is destroyed. Human blood is required to save the lives of people suffering from accidents and disease millions of times each year in the United States. There is no way to manufacture human blood outside the body.

Donating blood is quick, easy and pain free. You can be in and out in less than 60 minutes. You must be 16 years of age (with parental consent) to donate blood and weigh a minimum of 115 lbs. At the age of 17, you can donate on your own without parental consent.You can donate whole blood every 56 days. Platelets can be donated every 14 days.

I got to talk with Diana San Roman with the Community Blood Center about the importance of donating, and about the big drive today.

The need for O negative and A negative blood types is very high. I certainly hope you'll stop by and make a donation at the blood drive will be held today from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 200 South Limit. To learn more about donating blood, visit their web site at savealifenow.org. Questions regarding eligibility 816-968-4009 or toll free 1- 800-245-7035. To make an appointment online, go to esavealifenow.org and use the sponsor code sedaliacomm. You may also contact Marge Watson at 826-5300.

Donatingly yours,
Behka