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.