Blood Drive Monday At Newtown Congregational Church

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.

According to the American Red Cross, more than 38,000 blood donations ar   needed every day. One out of every ten people admitted to a hospital needs blood.

An average adult body contains 10–12 units of blood, yet a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately three pints.

Typo O negative blood is needed in emergencies before a patient’s blood type is known and with newborns who need blood.

More than one million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their treatment.

For these reasons and many more, the American Red Cross is hoping that residents of Newtown and beyond will take advantage of a blood drive that will be held on Monday, January 11, at Newtown Congregational Church. Appointments are available, but walk-ins will also be welcomed.

Members of Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) and Newtown Lions Club will be at the church with light refreshments all day. The church is at 14 West Street and the blood drive will be in NCC’s Great Room. An elevator is available for those who need it if entering the building from its lower rear parking lot, while those who use the upper rear parking lot (from the second entrance past the fork at Castle Hill Road) will be able to get into the Great Room without having to use stairs or the elevator. The building is fully handicapped accessible.

To make an appointment call 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) or go online to GiveLife.org.

In addition to feeling good about doing something that will help others, donors have an extra incentive to give blood this month.

“January is also Dunkin’ Donuts month. Each presenting donor gets a coupon for a pound of coffee redeemable at Dunkin’ Donuts,” said Lynne Phillips, account manager, biomedical services for the American Red Cross in Norwalk.

For additional information on the day of the blood drive, call the NCC office at 203-426-9024.

Info For First-Time Donors

Giving blood does not hurt.

“It may feel like a slight pinch or string for just a second, but there is no pain during the donation,” assures the American Red Cross through its publication Blood and Blood Donation 101. The entire donation process from registration to refreshments taken approximately one hour; the donation itself only takes approximately seven to ten minutes.

Donating blood is safe.

“You cannot acquire HIV or any other diseases from donating,” continues the publication. “A new sterile needle is used for every donation and then discarded.”

Each person who donates blood during a blood drive gives up one unit of blood, which is a little less than a pint. That blood volume (plasma) is naturally replaced by the body within 24 hours. Red cells need about four to eight weeks to complete replacement, which is why the Red Cross asks the public to wait 56 days between each donation.

Bring a positive form of ID with you when you donate blood. Donors will be asked to provide their name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Donors will also be asked to complete a Blood Donor Record that contains information about their personal health history.

A trained doctor specialist will conduct a brief physical examination to include temperature, blood pressure and pulse, and the taking of a drop of blood to be sure the donor has enough red blood cells to donate safely.

The specialist will also conduct a private and confidential interview about past and present history. Donors are also asked to complete a form to let the ARC know, privately, whether their blood is safe to give to another person.

When it’s time to donate blood, a specialist will cleanse the area of the donor’s arm that will be used to donate. All of the supplies, including the needle, are sterile and are used only once.

Following the donation, each donor is given post-donation instructions and light refreshments. Donors are asked to wait a short amount of time before leaving the donation location to make sure their body has accepted the donation.

“Although most people feel fine before and after donating blood, a small number of people may have an upset stomach, a faint or dizzy feeling, or a bruise, redness or pain where the needle was inserted,” according to Blood and Blood Donation 101.