Published: February 23, 2007 12:15 am            

The gift of life — and it stays close to home

If 40,000 people agreed to give one pint of blood, it would supply American’s need for blood for only one day. Every two seconds, a person in the United States needs blood.

Americans often rally to give blood when there is an emergency, such as a hurricane or tornado. While that is a noble deed, the reality is that blood donations are needed year-round because blood has a limited shelf life.

Thanks to a partnership between LifeSouth and Cullman Regional Medical Center, it is easier than ever for individuals to make blood donations. The LifeSouth bloodmobile travels throughout our community to schools, businesses and churches for blood drive events. There is also a donation station located in the professional office building No. 2 at CRMC that is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We were looking for a way to increase the number of blood donations,” says Teresa Hogeland, CRMC’s Director of Laboratory. “The LifeSouth bloodmobile and donor station at CRMC have helped us so just that.”

All blood donations made in Cullman County through LifeSouth are used by local healthcare facilities.

“Cullman County is a very generous county for blood donations,” Hogeland said. “We are an exporter county, which means that we export more blood than we import. About 60 percent of the blood products we use come from local donors through LifeSouth.”

When blood is donated to LifeSouth through the bloodmobile or at CRMC, there is a quick turnaround for local patients who need blood products. Patients needing blood sometimes gain peace of mind knowing that the blood they receive is coming from local people.

Whenever you see the LifeSouth bloodmobile, why not stop and make a donation yourself? Healthy adults may give blood every 56 days, or about six times a year. The average person has about 10 pints of blood. When blood is given, the body quickly replaces it. Regardless of your blood type, you can be sure your blood is needed.

Another way to help is to plan a blood drive for your school, church, or company. It is an easy and rewarding act. To find out more, call the LifeSouth Donor Station at 256-775-6689.

        

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