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Show Blood donations are sought as supplies run low in January The holidays are traditionally a time of sharing, and of looking forward to a brighter new year. During this season, what better gift is there to offer than the gift of life? Donating blood is easy, according to John Linebaugh, AFH lab supervisor. He says that people can call the hospital at 756-6001, ext. 395, and make an appointment for any day between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. In addition, clubs, groups or individuals in-dividuals can plan ahead and come on the fourth Wednesday of the month (January 27) between 4 and 8 p.m., when the "bloodmobile" is stationed at American Fork Hospital. Every day at American Fork Hospital, blood means life. According Ac-cording to Linebaugh, the hospital used nearly 1,000 donor-supplied pints of blood in 1987. The most common blood recipients, says Linebaugh, are new mothers who lose blood during the birth of their baby, and surgery patients. "When a patient loses blood," explains Linebaugh, "he needs that blood replaced immediately. ..a well-stocked blood bank is crucial." All across the country, blood banks run critically low during the month of January. As a result, January is national blood drive month. American Fork Hospital is no exception. "Blood banks are at their lowest point of the year in January," says Linebaugh, "because many people are unable to donate due to colds and flu -- the need for healthy donors is very high." According to Linebaugh, a person cannot donate blood while taking certain medications, experiencing current cold or flu symptoms, or having a history of certain diseases such as hepatitis. However, Linebaugh emphasizes ' that some medications and past diseases which a person might think would disqualify him from giving blood are acceptable. A quick call to the hospital lab can easily determine deter-mine a person's donor eligibility. Linebaugh says that anyone age 18-66 is encouraged to donate blood. Persons under 18 can donate with parental consent, and persons over 66 can donate with their doctor's approval. The only physical qualification is a weight of at least 110 pounds. "American Fork Hospital greatly appreciates every person who donates blood," summarizes Linebaugh. "Their gift is critical to the patients this hospital serves." |
