Most people can give! Healthy people who are at least 17 years old in Missouri and weigh 110 pounds or more are usually eligible to donate blood. In Illinois, donors can be 16 years old if a parent or legal guardian signs a Red Cross permission slip. It is very important that you feel well on the day that you donate.

The actual blood donation only takes about 10-12 minutes, but you should allow about one hour for the entire process from registration to refreshments. There is no danger of contracting any diseases, including AIDS, from donating blood. All needles and tubing are prepackaged in sterile containers, are used once and then safely discarded.

Before donating blood, eat and drink normally, do not donate blood on an empty stomach. Federal regulations require that donors wait at least 56 days (eight weeks) between donations.

Donated blood is useable for only 42 days, so volunteer donors are constantly needed to help save lives. Every two minutes, someone in our area needs blood for emergency surgeries and medical treatment of diseases.

For more information call 339-1822