American Red Cross Bloodmobile to stop in Mountain Lake on Monday
Nearly 6,000 times a day, someone receives blood from an American Red Cross donor, and yet, only about 3% of the population donates.
There is a need to increase that donor percentage and now, during the Lenten season, is a good time to get started; give up a pint of blood for Lent.
The opportunity to donate will be on hand next week when the American Red Cross Bloodmobile makes a stop in Mountain Lake on Monday, March 2. Collection time will run from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Bloodmobile will be held in the Mountain Lake Community Center, located at 1027 Second Avenue. In addition to whole blood pint donations, double red cells will also be collected.
To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767) or online at www.redcrossblood.org.
Blood donors must be health (feeling well and able to perform normal activities), be at least 17-years-old or 16-years-old with parental consent and weigh at least 110 lb. For double red cell donors, males must be healthy, at least 17-years-old, be at least 5’1″ and weigh at least 130 lb.; and for females, be healthy, at least 17-years-old, be at least 5’5″ and weigh at least 150 lb.
Other aspects of each potential donor’s health history are additionally discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin (or hematocrit) are measured.