United Blood Services (UBS) is passing through Lincoln County next week hoping to leave with pints of blood from local donors. In years past, residents see the flyers at the post offices or grocery stores with local contacts to schedule appointments.
Laura Alvarado, Donor Recruitment Representative in Nevada, said you can still schedule appointments by calling the service at 702-233-9620, or visiting their site at www.unitedbloodservices.org. Each town in Lincoln County has their own “sponsor code,” to help identify various locations and times for your area.
Alvarado said a team will be coming to start the drive off in Pioche on Monday, Feb. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Pioche Town Hall on Main Street. There is no local coordinator for the Pioche Blood Drive, so if you would like to volunteer, you can call the service at the number above. Last time, UBS gained 15 units, or pints, of donor blood, and are hoping for the same goal this year.
The LDS Primary room in Panaca will host their drive Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 2 to 7 p.m. Carol Hansen is the contact this year. To schedule an appointment, call 775-728-4697. Last time, Panaca gave, “almost 50 units,” Alvarado said, and have a goal of 44 units this year.
For Caliente, the VFW Hall on Dixon will host the drive Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. June Taylor is the contact for the Caliente drive, and can be reached at 775-962-1290. The goal for Caliente is 15 pints also.
Alamo will also see UBS Feb. 11, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Pahranagat Valley High School. Brooke Foremaster is the coordinator for the area and can be reached at the high school at 775-725-3321. Last visit, the Alamo area had 23 units.
Walk-ins are welcome for the blood drive, but scheduling an appointment is preferred to better help organize the drive. Alvarado said, “It takes one hour to give one pint of blood.”
Alvarado said anyone over 17 years of age and at least 110 pounds can give blood, “as long as they are feeling healthy.” Alvarado said the screening and filtering process removes much of the unwanted substances. “We only use the plasma, red cell, and platelets.”
Alvarado was diagnosed with diabetes, and can still give blood, as long as she is feeling well and healthy. “Things like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, etc., are usually manageable today, and as long as the donor is feeling okay, they can give blood. Things like cholesterol and medicines get cleaned out when it goes through the filter.”
For those who have tattoos or permanent makeup, the last time a touchup or ink was received needs to be more than a year.
Alvarado suggested that donors eat a complete meal and drink water before donating blood, as a pint of blood will take nutrients from your body that need to be replaced. Donors also need to bring a photo id card, and their donor card if they have one.
Free juice and cookies will be provided, along with a free cholesterol test for every donor.
Giving the gift of blood can help save countless lives, and is a very charitable act, something that residents of Lincoln County do not fall short on. Find the time to give next week. You never know how many lives you could help save.
