South Georgia Technical College recently hosted a successful blood drive for the American Red Cross. Students, faculty and staff members as well as community members attended the drive to donate blood. SGTC nursing program instructor Raissa Welch was on hand with several of her students to assist with the event and give the students an opportunity for valuable experience.
Johnny Williams, Account Manager for the American Red Cross, stated that the event exceeded expectations. “There were 36 donors to show,” said Williams. “We finished with 27 productive units because of deferrals and donors unable to finish. Our goal was 21 units so the 27 units was awesome!”
According to the American Red Cross, blood donations can help cancer patients, trauma patients, sickle cell patients, burn patients and patients with chronic diseases. Donations can also be separated into components, which can help more than one person.
Most healthy individuals can donate blood every 56 days. In order to be eligible to give, the donor must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Donors are also encouraged to eat a well-balanced meal and drink a lot of fluids prior to donating. For more information on blood donation, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543). To schedule an appointment to donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org.