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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