The Hoxworth Blood Drive hosted by the Hamersville Community Action Team was a grand success with 56 people donating, surpassing the original goal of 40.
The Hamersville Community Action Team hosted a blood drive on December 14, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. David Hennig, a member of HCAT and the pastor of the Hamersville Church of Christ, offered the church’s space for HCAT to utilize for the event.
“The Hamersville Church of Christ was gracious enough to let us use their church to have the blood drive.” said Teresa Gall, president of HCAT.
The blood drive was made possible through collaboration with the Hoxworth Blood Center. Overall, HCAT was beyond successful; they had 16 more people than their original goal of 40. Volunteers donated either a pint or doubles. When donating doubles, the person donates two units of red blood cells through the use of a special machine to ensure safety. The procedure is called “automation” or “apheresis,” where only red blood cells are withdrawn while the plasma and platelets are left alone. Red blood cell transfusion is the most desired type of blood transfused product. All types of blood donations are graciously appreciated and can save lives.
In order to donate blood, there are usually specific qualifications that must be met. Every type of donation has different requirements. Most often, there is a required minimum weight and height and the individual must be at least 17-years-old. An essential qualification is that the person donating must not be sick, as this would cause the person receiving the blood to get sick. If sick, one must wait at least 14 days after symptoms have cleared up in order to donate. Anyone who has HIV or certain forms of cancer including Leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma are permanently disqualified from donating blood. For Standard donations can be made every 56 days (eight weeks); on the other hand, donating double red blood cells can only be done every 112 days.
There are few disadvantages to donating other than the expected dehydration, fatigue, bruising, and the possibility of an infection. There is also the very rare chance of an arterial puncture, occurring when the technician misses the donor’s vein and hits an artery instead. Donating blood comes with the beautiful benefit of helping others, a heartfelt pleasure that can fortify the donor’s emotional well-being. With even just a single donation, anyone can save someone else’s life.