Each
day more than 300 transfusions are needed by patients in our area.
Seventy-five percent of the population will need blood at some
time in their lives. In contrast, only 5 percent of the population
donates blood.
Experience
and caring are the hallmarks of the Whole Blood Collection Team.
These skilled professionals guide each donor through a careful
medical screening and collection procedure. Blood is drawn by sterile
equipment; all needles are discarded after one use.
Each
unit of blood undergoes rigorous testing procedures. In addition
to blood typing, tests include screening for hepatitis, syphilis,
HTLV-I, and HIV. Blood that tests positive is destroyed and the
donor notified.
The
blood is distributed to area hospitals for trauma victims, premature
newborns, and patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment and
other procedures.
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