Several Vitalant Blood Drives Scheduled in East Ohio
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Vitalant is organizing several local blood drives, and all donors will have a chance to win a $500 gift card as part of the "24 in '24 Blood Donation Extravaganza Giveaway."
Belmont College is hosting the first local blood drive on Monday at Dowler Hall on the main campus. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The next blood drive will be at the Martins Ferry High School gym from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 31.
WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital will also host a blood drive from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the hospital's conference room/multipurpose room.
All donors who participate in any Vitalant blood drive between Jan. 6 and Feb. 10 will have the opportunity to enter to win one of 24 $500 prepaid gift cards. Donors can give blood, platelets or plasma to enter the drawing.
Donors must create an online account to be eligible for the giveaway. Twenty-four winners will be chosen at random in a drawing on or around Feb. 15 to receive a $500 gift card of their choice. About seven to 14 days after the drawing, the winners will receive points on their account that they can exchange for a $500 gift card or several gift cards totaling $500.
WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital will have its blood drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 16 in the hospital's cafeteria. This drive will take place after the 24 in '24 Blood Donation Extravaganza Giveaway has ended, so donors at that event will not be eligible to win a $500 gift card.
The blood collected at all these events will support WVU Medicine Wheeling, Reynolds Memorial, Harrison Community and Barnesville hospitals.
Kristen Lane, Vitalant's Northeast Division communications manager, said that only 3% of the American population gives blood regularly. She said that donating blood is especially important during winter months since fewer people get out and donate during that period, and more blood is needed due to an increase in vehicle accidents.
"Giving blood helps ensure the blood supply is sufficient when severe weather strikes," Lane said.
She said that since the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people have been donating blood.
"Since COVID, we have only been getting about a third of the blood we need for our hospitals," she said.
According to Vitalant's website, donating blood will take about 15 minutes. Light refreshments will be provided to all donors to help them replenish their fluids and nutrients after donating.
According to Vitalant's website, donors should be mindful about what they eat and drink before donating blood.
"Eat a healthy, low-fat meal within two hours of your donation. The day before, eat a salty snack. When you donate blood, you lose about a gram of salt. Replacing it ahead of time helps keep your blood pressure normal. Hydrate by drinking 8 to 16 ounces of non-alcoholic beverages one hour before you donate. Water or sports drinks are great choices," the website states.
Vitalant also requests that donors bring a form of identification with them.
Vitalant's website states that donors should avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day after donating.
Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, go to vitalant.org and search by ZIP code. Donors can also make appointments or get more information by calling 1-877-258-4825, using the Vitalant mobile app or emailing Vitalant Account Manager Rachel Bennett at rbennett@vitalant.org.