Are you looking for a way to give back this summer? Why not donate blood at the American Red Cross blood drive at The University of Toledo Medical Center Tuesday, June 14.
The blood drive will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Morse Center.
The American Red Cross has a goal of 43 pints of blood for this drive.
Besides the fact that blood is always needed, Diane Smith, account manager for American Red Cross Blood Services, said it is important to try giving blood because the Red Cross does a mini-physical before every donation. This includes checking blood pressure, pulse, temperature and hemoglobin levels.
“If you have issues with those areas, it’s nice to find out so you can do something about it and protect your health and well-being,” Smith said.
Although not required, making an appointment is strongly encouraged. “We can take walk-ins if we have no-shows, but we want to honor donors that make appointments so they don’t have to wait,” Smith said.
To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code “UTMED” or call 1.800.733.2767. Donors must bring a photo ID on the day of the drive.
Smith said eating foods rich in iron for about a week or two before the blood drive will not only increase your iron levels, but will give you more energy as well.
In order to save time at the blood drive, you may use an application called Rapid Pass. To use rapid pass, go to redcrossblood.org/rapidpass on the day of the drive, read the blood drive information, and answer all the health history questions in advance. Then, print out the verification form or send it to your email where you can access it via smartphone.
If you choose to use Rapid Pass, the verification form will be required to show at the drive because the Red Cross will need to scan the UPC codes.
You also can get a digital donor card and track your blood through the American Red Cross free donor app. The free app can be downloaded from the AppStore, Google Play or by texting “bloodapp” to 90999.
