Blood Drive Information and Tips

Blood Drive – Saturday, February 27th from 8am to 1pm: The Red Cross will be holding a Blood Drive in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, February 27th. Appointments are strongly encouraged. To make an appointment you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time and look for St. Peter’s on 2/27/2021. For more information and tips for giving blood please look to the end of this email.

Blood Drive Tips and Information

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace”

Peter 4:10

Giving blood is an amazing way to help others.  I started giving blood after my wife, Amy, was diagnosed with cancer.  Cancer patients often need blood during their chemotherapy treatments.  Each pint of blood you give can save up to 3 lives. 

As the blood drive at St. Peter’s approaches, Pastor asked me to share some tips for those giving blood. 

  1. Download the Red Cross App. From here, you can schedule your appointment, complete your Rapid Pass day of your appointment, create your donor card and track your blood’s journey after your donation (you can see what hospital your blood is sent to)

  2. Although not required, I recommend making an appointment rather than just walking into the blood drive. This will save you time and ensure that you will be able to make your donation.

  3. Day of your donation

    1. Complete your Rapid Pass on the App prior to your appointment. This will save you a lot of time at your appointment.

    2. Drink lots of water

    3. Wear something comfortable with sleeves that can be easily raised

    4. Bring a list of medications you are taking

    5. Bring your ID (I have seen them turn people away for not having an ID)

  4. After your donation: Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol for 24 hours

What you can expect at your appointment: 

  1. The Red Cross will call you the day before your appointment to confirm that you are coming. They will keep calling you until they get confirmation that you are coming, so don’t ignore numbers you don’t know the day before your appointment, it might be the Red Cross.

  2. Plan to spend about an hour at your donation

  3. They will give you a brief physical where they will ask you your height and weight, take your temperature and pulse and check your iron levels.

  4. Once you are on the table, it will take about 10-15 minutes to give a pint of blood.

  5. After you complete your donation, they will provide you with some snacks and cookies to help get your blood sugar back up before you leave. I normally hang out for 10 – 15 minutes after to make sure I am not light headed and okay to drive.

Thank you to everyone who is planning to give blood.  I feel it is so important and such an easy way to help others. 

All the best,

Matt Clark

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