Blood donors needed

MONDAY, NOV. 26: In preparation for the busy holiday season, the Blood Donor Centre, located on the first floor at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, is seeking blood donations to replenish supplies. While we are especially seeking O positive, A positive, B positive and O negative donors, we also welcome donations of all blood types.  We are now open Monday and Friday from 8:30am to 1:30pm and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Please contact the Blood Donor Centre at 236-5067 to make an appointment. We thank members of the community in advance for supporting this call for blood donations.

Blood Donation

• The Blood Donor Centre requires 40 to 50 people every week to keep blood supplies at the level required to meet patients’ needs. 

• Only about 1,100 people in Bermuda donate blood regularly.

• Most healthy people between 18 and 70 who weigh a minimum of 110lbs can donate blood.

• Healthy blood is vital to us all. It has three major functions: tocarry oxygen and nutrients to the body cellsso they can create energy; to help defend the body against infections and injuries; and to remove waste products from the body cells.

• The average adult contains 12 pints of blood, which contains many substances including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.

• When you donate blood, one pint is taken which your body will easily replenish within 24 hours. The blood is then separated into different components.

• To ensure a donor is healthy enough to give blood, donors are asked to fill out a questionnaire and their blood pressure and haemoglobin is checked.

• The entire process, including pre-testing, donating and time for refreshments afterwards takes about half an hour.