American Red Cross returns to Wilkinson County next week

The American Red Cross is returning to Wilkinson County on Monday, Sept. 14. 

Donations will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Voice of Truth Church in Irwinton. 

The blood drive will be held in collaboration with Hello Kitty and Friends, and according to organizers, donors will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty collectible item while supplies last. The collaboration began on Sept. 1 and is scheduled to continue throughout the month until Sept. 20. 

According to the American Red Cross, 6.8 million Americans give blood each year, totaling around 13.6 million units of blood. The Red Cross provides roughly 40% of the country’s blood supply and is primarily used to supply patients during surgeries and blood transfusions. 

The process of donating blood is simple and usually takes under an hour.

According to the Red Cross, donors check in using a valid form of ID and are accessed for their bodily temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin levels before the donation begins.

Then, a Red Cross staff member instructs the donor to sit or recline in a comfortable position before cleaning their arm. Once everyone is ready, the staff member inserts a needle into the donor’s arm and secures it in place. The needle is then attached to a long tube that runs to a small machine that helps pump the blood out.

About ten minutes later when the donation is complete, a staff member removes the needle, bandages the area and sends the donor on their way.

On their official website, the American Red Cross highlights the importance of having a diverse donor pool when organizing large blood drives. This is because access to blood is limited and for patients with rare blood types, low access can lead to delayed treatment, which can be dangerous.

“Maintaining diversity in the blood supply is essential,” the organization’s website reads. “Some patients need blood with uncommon antigens found in rare blood types. If you have a rare type, your donation can make the difference for someone with very limited options.”

Though the Red Cross encourages all who are able to donate, they especially recommend people with the O blood type to donate. People with type O blood are considered universal donors because their blood can be used in transfusions for patients with every type of blood.

Voice of Truth Church is located at 505 Cross Justice Road in Irwinton.

Wilkinson County usually holds four blood drives with the American Red Cross each year.

According to blood drive organizer and volunteer Ethel Beck, the collaboration has gone on for years. The next one, after Monday, is scheduled to take place in March at the senior center.

According to a flyer, donors can schedule an appointment ahead of time at RedCrossBlood.org with the code “wilkcc.”