Give blood Oct. 10 and get two Crayola Experience tickets
The Memorial Blood Center bloodmobile will be at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10. When you present to donate blood with the Memorial Blood Center any time this October, you’ll receive a pair of tickets to the Crayola Experience at Mall of America. Visit mbc.org/Crayola for details.
Sign up to donate
To schedule a donation Oct. 10, go to www.mbc.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code 0960 or contact Maija Schmelzer at mschmelzer@mbc.org or 651-332-7167. Pre-registration is encouraged, but you can also register on the day of the blood drive at the table in the City Hall Rotunda.
About donating blood
Most people who are in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds may donate blood. Although all blood types are needed, the need is especially urgent for O-negative and O-positive blood.
Be sure to eat before donating, and bring an ID card. Anyone who donates should not have any cold or flu symptoms for three days before the blood drive.
Typically, it takes about an hour to donate blood from the time you sign in until the time you leave. When you arrive, a staff member will make sure you’re eligible. That involves a few basic health questions; the names of any medications you’re taking; and checking your pulse, blood pressure, temperature and red-blood-cell level.
All blood collection equipment is sterile and used only once. Collecting a unit of blood takes between 10 and 25 minutes. You may feel a small pinch when the needle is inserted, but most donors say they don’t feel any discomfort for the remainder of the donation. After your donation, you will be given some refreshments to help replenish your fluids. Then you’re ready to resume your normal daily activities.
Published Oct 3, 2017
