Rutherford Regional Health System (RRHS) will host a blood drive on Wednesday, July 30 in the Medical Center’s Norris-Biggs Classroom from Noon to 6:00 p.m.  Donors will receive a T-shirt and the choice of a coupon for the RRHS Auxiliary’s $5 jewelry sale (August 13 – 15) or a $5 meal coupon to the RRHS Break Away Café.  A complimentary pizza lunch will be provided after the donation.
Donors can call Suzanne Holtzclaw at 828-286-5338 and schedule an appointment for Wednesday, July 30, or simply walk in between noon and 6:00 p.m.  Donors are now required to provide a form of identification, which includes a driver’s license or other acceptable photo ID.  More information on acceptable photo IDs is available on The Blood Connection’s website at www.thebloodconnection.com.  Donors are greatly needed. Rutherford Regional Health System asks the public to help reach its goal of 50 productive pints.
It is important to donate blood because of the consistently enormous demand.  Every two seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion and 1 in 10 patients who will enter into a hospital will need blood.
To prepare for the daily needs of hospitals including emergencies, over 500 people need to donate blood every day.  Blood is only good for 42 days after it is taken; therefore donors are needed every day to ensure a stable blood supply.
“I am pleased that I can give blood to a very much needed cause, and The Blood Connection makes that all possible,” said Mary Goode, avid donor.  “The Blood Connection group is made up of a great staff that is very friendly, calm, and helps you relax.  I am happy that RRHS is able to host the blood drives. I can see the impact that it is making on the community.  I really appreciate RRHS’s team and blood drive coordinator, Suzanne Holtzclaw, for putting so much time into planning these blood drives and making them successful.”
For a successful donation individuals can get a good night’s sleep, drink an extra 16 ounces of water before the donation, eat a healthy meal before the donation, and maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, spinach, iron-fortified cereals and raisins.
– article submitted by Taylor Wilson