BLOOD DONATIONS UP SINCE CENTER OPENING.Byline: Karen Thacker Community Columnist American Red Cross American Red Cross: see Red Cross. officials say blood donations “Give blood” redirects here. For other uses, see Give blood (disambiguation). Blood donation is a process by which a blood donor voluntarily has blood drawn for storage in a blood bank, generally for subsequent use in a blood transfusion. are up about 50 percent since a blood donor center opened three months ago. The center at 540 W. Palmdale Blvd. is now open five days a month, supplementing ``bloodmobile'' visits to churches and schools. ``When it's more convenient, people are more likely to donate,'' said Julie Juliusson, community specialist for Red Cross blood services. The new donor center is one of 11 such sites around Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . ``The community needs a place to donate blood on an ongoing basis,'' said Fran Stewart, local Red Cross executive director. The 3,000-square-foot facility, which has five beds for blood donors and four stations for blood platelet blood platelet n. See platelet. donors, opened in July but held an official grand opening earlier this month. The center is open 1:30 to 6:45 p.m. every Monday and 7 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. the second Saturday of every month. Making appointments is recommended, however, by calling (800) GIVE-LIFE, or (805) 575-8300. The center could open more hours depending on the response from the community, officials said. Just last month, blood supplies were dangerously low around Southern California, and hospitals were having to postpone post·pone tr.v. post·poned, post·pon·ing, post·pones 1. To delay until a future time; put off. See Synonyms at defer1. 2. To place after in importance; subordinate. elective surgeries elective surgery Surgery Any operation that can be performed with advanced planning–eg, cholecystectomy, hernia repair, colonic resection, coronary artery bypass , Juliusson said. Donations are traditionally less than the need in Southern California. ``We import 40 percent from other parts of the country to meet the needs of our community,'' she said. The Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley is an exception, with Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. personnel being particularly steady donors. The base was recognized recently by American Red Cross Chairwoman ELizabeth Dole with a Transformation Award for its generous support. Giving blood takes about an hour. With each visit, donors fill out a health history, then nurses take their temperature and blood pressure and check their iron level. Drawing the pint of blood takes eight to 10 minutes, after which donors can have juice and cookies in the canteen and take a brief rest to make sure they are healthy to leave. PALMDALE - A benefit golf tournament for the American Red Cross brought in about $6,000 for local needs. Good community support, good turnout and great weather at the Edwards Air Force Base Muroc Golf Course made for an excellent fund-raising experience, said Fran Stewart, American Red Cross executive director. Sixteen teams in a four-man-scramble format played in the Sept. 5 event. The golf tournament is the main fund-raiser for the local unit, and all money stays in the area. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion