The Hawaii Blood Bank is here on Hawaii Island this week collecting blood, and they still have appointments available. They’ll be at three locations:
- Tuesday, July 3: Church of Latter Day Saints, Kona Stake Center, Cultural Hall, 10:00a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 4: Church of Latter Day Saints, Waimea Hawaii Ward, Cultural Hall, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thursday, July 5: Solid Rock Ministries, Worship Area, 7a.m. – 2 p.m.
Blood Bank of Hawaii will partner with Baskin-Robbins Hawaii on Wednesday, July 4 in a “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” promotion to heighten awareness of the need for blood on the national holiday. Donors in Waimea who give a pint of blood on Independence Day will receive a coupon, redeemable for a free pint of ice cream at participating Baskin-Robbins stores.
Every day in Hawaii, hundreds of patients count on volunteer blood donors for their survival. Typical uses for the donated blood include surgical procedures; treatment of accident victims and chemotherapy patients; and mothers and newborns during delivery. Blood Bank says around 60% of Hawaii’s population will need blood at some point.
Because each donation is separated into three different components — red blood cells, platelets and plasma — a single donation can help save the lives of up to three people.
The donation process is safe and usually takes about an hour. A confidential interview and a mini-physical are administered, but the actual collection of blood takes only five to eight minutes.
In Hawaii, only two percent of the eligible population donates blood. More donors are always needed. The requirements to be a blood donor are simple:
- Be in good health
- Be 18 years of age or older (17 with signed Blood Bank parent/legal guardian consent form)
- Weigh 110 pounds or more
- Bring a valid photo ID with date of birth
Blood Bank will collect blood later in the month in Hilo, with the schedule as follows:
The East-side drives will be held:
- Monday, July 23: Aunty Sally’s Kaleohanao’s Luau Hale, 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 24: Aunty Sally’s Kaleohanao’s Luau Hale, 7:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 25: Aunty Sally’s Kaleohanao’s Luau Hale, 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
For an appointment to donate blood this week or the week of July 23, call Blood Bank Hawaii at 800-372-9966. There’s more information online, www.bbh.org
