United Blood Service sets drive for Monday at IMC

STEVE WILSON THE DAILY IBERIAN

United Blood Services will be holding a second Sugar Cane Festival Blood Drive from 3 p.m.– 7 p.m. Monday at Iberia Medical Center.

The UBS Bloodmobile will be in the IMC parking lot and the first 25 donors will receive a free ride bracelet and a commemorative Sugar Cane Festival Blood Donor T-shirt.

UBS Donor Recruitment Representative Kelly Perkins said even though UBS is now clear of a critical appeal situation, low turnout from recent blood drives has prompted the need to hold more drives.

“We are still in need of blood donors,” Perkins said. “The need for blood never slows down.  UBS is in need of 0 positive, 0 negative, B positive, and B negative.  We encourage all donors to come out and donate blood.”

Perkins said the recent hurricanes have impacted blood drive efforts.

“The first Sugar Cane Festival Blood Drive that was held on Sept. 15 was projected to draw between 75 to 100 pints of blood,” Perkins said. “Unfortunately due to area residences recovering from Hurricane Ike many people were not able to make the blood drive. Therefore we are giving Iberia Parish residences another chance to come and donate blood.”

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health, according to the press release. Additional height and weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. E

ach donor receives a thorough pre-donation interview, including a careful review of medical history and a check of temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood iron level.

 After the blood is collected, it is typed and tested.  The blood is then made available to local hospital patients, all within three days of collection.

For more information contact 235-LIFE.