VNA Seeks To Boost Blood Donations

By Kaaren Valenta

A $200 savings bond donated by Newtown Savings Bank will be won by a lucky participant at the American Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association on Monday, March 14 in the undercroft at Trinity Church.

The blood drive will take place between the hours of 8:30 am and 6:30 pm. 

Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. About 38,000 units of blood are needed in this country every day for hospital patients. In Connecticut, about 600 units of blood are needed each weekday to satisfy the needs of cancer patients, accident victims, sickle cell patients, and other patients at the state’s 31 urgent care hospitals.

The supply often does not cover the need. At this time of year the blood supply is sent to the hospitals on as as-needed basis. Emergency rooms often cannot have a supply of blood on hand.

The Newtown Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) recently made it a mission to help recruit more donors in Newtown; Pam Gage, an advanced practice registered nurse and VNA member,  is coordinating the VNA project. Newtown Savings Bank joined in promoting the project by giving the VNA a $200 savings bond to give to a donor at the March 14 blood drive.

Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days, but only four percent of the population donates blood, according to the American Red Cross.

“We have a goal of 150 productive units at the next blood drive,” said Brenda Wagner of the American Red Cross Connecticut Region Blood Services. “Typically we get 100. We need 200 appointments because some people get sick or have last-minute emergencies and have to cancel.

Anyone who is 17 or older, weighs at least 110 pounds, and is in generally good health probably is eligible to donate blood. Call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) to make an appointment for any blood drive in Connecticut.

Donors also can request an appointment by visiting the website www.bloodCT.org. Positive ID is required at the time of the blood donation.

This week Gov. M. Jodi Rell launched the Governor’s Blood Drive Challenge to emphasize the need for communities to better prepare themselves to meet the blood needs in their areas.

Blood has to be ready and available on the shelf when a personal medical crisis strikes or when a natural or manmade disaster occurs, she said.