Recent Weather Disrupts Blood Supply

Due to severe weather disrupting blood collections, the American Red Cross is urging people to donate now. The largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the United States, the mission of the American Red Cross is to “help people in times of emergency and disasters.” Recently, the Red Cross sent supplies (meals-ready-to-eat, water and various kits) to Connecticut to aid residents affected by Tropical Storm Irene.

Donating takes minimal time and is a simple, four-step process.

1. Upon arrival, donors register with 2 forms of identification.

2. A mini physical then takes place, where you answer questions and your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level are recorded. (And, you don’t even need to pay a co-pay. It’s free!)

3. The donation, which takes about 10 minutes.

4. Enjoy a snack and sit a few minutes before returning to your normal day.

Before donating, the Red Cross suggests the following tips:

• Maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals and raisins.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before the donation.
• Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries or ice cream before donating. Tests for infections done on all donated blood can be affected by fats that appear in your blood for several hours after eating fatty foods.
• If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation.
• Remember to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID.

Additional tips can be found, here.  

Local blood drives:

September 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.

31 Main St

East Haddam, CT 06423

September 22th from 1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Polish Falcons of America

Falcon Grove

144 Prout Hill Rd.

Middletown, CT 06457

September 23rd from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

30 Saint Peters Lane

Higganum, CT 06441

September 25th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Daniel Ormsby Memorial Drive

Maloney High School

121 Gravel St

Meriden, CT 06450

September 27th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Rocky Hill Businesses

500 Enterprise Drive Office Building

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

September 27th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Middletown Toyota

634 Newfield St

Middletown, CT 06457

September 27th from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Baptist Fellowship

195 Route 6

Columbia, CT 06237

September 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

St. Rose Church of Lima

35 Center St

Meriden, CT 06450

October 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Faith Christian Assembly

46 Grandview Dr

Middletown, CT 06457

October 10th from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Congregation Ahavath Achim

84 Lebanon Ave./ Rt. 16

Colchester, CT 06415

October 11th from 1:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church

66 Cottage St

East Berlin, CT 06023

October 12th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Optum

400 Capital Blvd.

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

October 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Middlefield Federated Church

402 Main St

Middlefield, CT 06455

October 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.

VFW

20 North Maple St

East Hampton, CT 06424

October 26th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m.

Killingworth Elementary School, Sponsored by the 4th graders 

340 Route 81

Killingworth, CT 06419

For additional locations and times, visit the American Red Cross website.