Blood Donors Needed to be Everyday Heroes – April 16

April 6, 2015- Acorn High School students and Elementary students are teaming up to support the local blood supply. While high school students are giving blood, the elementary students are inviting parents, relatives and all other Acorn residents to show their support by giving blood at this important blood drive. All those 16 years and older, ABI urges them to donate blood at the April 16th, blood drive at this blood drive.

Each high school donor at Thursday’s blood drive, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. will receive a free “If I Don’t Who Will” T-shirt.  Those donating for the elementary students will receive a special Goofy Pen for the student who invited them.

John Armitage M.D., CEO and president of Arkansas Blood Institute said, “Our T-shirts make the bold statement, ‘If you won’t give, who will?’ Patients will not have a second chance at life without generous donors stepping out of their comfort zones and taking time to save lives.”

One in every seven people entering a hospital will need blood.  However, of those eligible to donate blood in the U.S., only about ten percent actually do. Giving blood takes about an hour, and each donation can save as many as three different lives. Donations can be made every 56 days.

Although all blood types are needed, those with negative type blood are especially urged to donate. Only 18 percent of the population has negative blood types.  Yet, patients with negative blood types can only receive blood from those 18 percent who have negative types.

Anyone 16 and older* can typically donate.  Appointments to donate can be made at arkbi.org or by calling Greg at 479-652-2362.

* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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