DEARBORN COUNTY HOSPITAL SCHEDULES SEPTEMBER BLOOD DRIVE

Dearborn County Hospital’s next blood drive, in association with the Hoxworth Blood Center, will be on Thursday, September 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the conference facilities of the hospital, 600 Wilson Creek Road, Lawrenceburg.

“Greater Cincinnati’s Hoxworth Blood Center serves 32 hospitals.  Hoxworth requires a minimum of 350 whole blood donors and 40 platelet donors daily to meet this need,” stated Melinda Ping, R.N., DCH Employee Health Nurse.  “Just one pint of donated blood can save the lives of up to three people.”

To donate, a person must be 17 years of age or older (16 years of age with the appropriate signed parental consent form), weigh at least 110 pounds and generally feel healthy and well.  Donors must wait a minimum of eight weeks between blood donations.  Women who are pregnant may not donate.

Persons who have tested HIV positive, injected themselves with illegal drugs or who participate in high risk behavior are prohibited from donating.  Individuals who had hepatitis after age 11 also are disqualified from donating.  Cancer, malaria or heart attack survivors, or individuals with heart disease should phone Hoxworth for information regarding allowances for donating. 

Blood donors should eat a well-balanced meal within four hours prior to donating and should drink plenty of water.  They must bring a form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license or employee badge, with them to the drive. 

Donors can maximize their donation by giving “Double Reds.”  The process of automated red cell collection is designed to make the most of donations.  Please call the Hoxworth Nursing Department at (800) 265-1515, ext. 81304, for additional information on donating Double Reds.

An appointment takes approximately 45 minutes for a whole blood donation and an additional 20 minutes for an automated red cell collection.  Also, a free total cholesterol screening is available to donors.  Individual results will be available a few days after the blood drive by calling (800) 265-1515, ext. 81888.