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Blood center faces holiday donation drop |
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November 20, 2017 |
The Inland Northwest Blood Center is challenging
its residents to help make up for a large
decrease in blood donations expected during the
holiday season, and there are two drives taking
place in Bonners Ferry this week so residents
here can take part.
Donations drop by 40-percent during the holiday
season while the need for blood increases. INBC
anticipates the additional need due to increased
travel, which increases the risk of traumatic
injuries. It takes about two days for blood to
be tested and prepared to send to patients in
need, therefore it is important to ensure blood
is available before it is needed.
The INBC bus will be at the Bonners Ferry LDS
Church, 6568 Alderson Lane, from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
tomorrow, November 21, and at the Bonners Ferry
Safeway, 6519 Main Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 1
p.m. Saturday, November 25.
You can sign up for either drive on the
INBC website
or by calling 1-800-423-0151.
For those looking for a community service
opportunity on Thanksgiving, Inland Northwest
Blood Center will be open at select locations
during altered hours to allow INBC to maintain a
safe blood supply while ensuring staff can spend
the holiday with their family.
The following centers will be open from 7 a.m.
to noon on Thursday, November 23, in downtown
Spokane at W210 Cataldo Avenue, and in Coeur
d’Alene at W405 Neider Avenue.
As a thank you to those who make time to donate
on Wednesday, November 22, and Thursday,
November 23, will be entered to win a $50
Fandango Movie Experience Gift Card! Plus, all
presenting donors in November are entered to win
a snow blower!
INBC strives to keep a five-day supply of every
blood type on the shelf at all times to be able
to meet the needs of patients across the region.
Donations from O-negative donors, the universal
blood type, are especially important this time
of year due to increased accidents and trauma
cases.
Inland Northwest Blood Center is the only blood
provider to more than 35 hospitals across the
region. The blood supply is dependent on
selfless donations from volunteer donors to
ensure the lifesaving needs of the region are
met.
About 30 percent of INBC’s blood supply goes to
cancer patients across the region, and one in
seven people entering the hospital will need
blood. Those relying on blood in the region
receive that lifesaving blood from INBC.
With each donation, donors receive a free total
cholesterol test and earn points in Inland
Northwest Blood Center’s Hero in Me rewards
program.
Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in
to refreshments. Donors can save about 20
minutes by completing their Fast Track Health
History the day they donate on
www.inbcsaves.org. |
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