Blood Donations Needed

The community blood supply has dropped to critically low levels for blood types O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative. The Red Cross calls on eligible blood donors to make a blood donation appointment as soon as possible.

The Bloodmobile will be in Ridgefield Friday, June 29, from 1:30 to 6:30. To make an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Eligible donors are encouraged to double the difference their donation can make by donating via the innovative double red cell technology, which will be available in Ridgefield on this date.

I called the Red Cross to find out what this involved, and here’s what I found out.

The double red cell donation is a way to capture red blood cells. A needle is inserted in each arm. Blood is taken out of one arm, spun in a centrifuge, where the red cells are captured. The white cells are returned to the other arm along with a saline solution. The woman at the Red Cross that I talked to said many donors like to give blood this way because more fluid is returned than is taken out, and they feel better afterwards.

There is a weight, height, and blood type requirement to donate under the double red cell technology. For men it’s a height of 5’1” and 130 pounds and for women it’s a height of 5’5” and 150 pounds. If you meet these requirements you might enquire about this service. It will not be offered in the July drive.
Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are generally in good health may also be eligible to donate blood. Visit redcrossblood.org for more information.