Special to Marshall County Daily
Mega Gym in Draffenville will be hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross on April 27.
“We wanted to be able to do something for the community,” said co-owner Vasili Georgiou. “There is always a need for blood donation and with everything our community has been through, we wanted to try to find an outlet to help out.”
Mega Gym will be hosting the American Red Cross from 2-6 p.m. this Friday giving donors two options to contribute – whole blood and Power Red donations.
According to ARC, whole blood is the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets. It is most frequently given to trauma patients and people undergoing surgery. Donors will need to allot approximately one hour to make a whole blood donation and it is ideal for all blood types.
Power Red Donations consist of the donor giving a concentrated dose of red cells, the part of the blood used every day for those needing transfusions as part of their care. This type of donation uses an automated process that separates your red blood cells from the other blood components, and then returns the donor’s plasma and platelets to them.
Red cells from a Power Red donation are typically given to trauma patients, newborns and emergency transfusions during birth, people with sickle cell anemia, and anyone suffering blood loss.
Ideal blood types for this procedure are: O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative. To give blood you must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 lbs and be in good overall health and feeling well.
For more information or to schedule a time to donate this Friday at Mega Gym, please call 270-252-0400.