Blood Drive at First Baptist
The First Baptist Church of Port St. Joe will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, May 12 from 1-6 p.m. (ET) in the Fellowship Hall, located at 102 3rd St.
Donors must be at least 17 years of age, 110 pounds and possess a photo ID.
All donors will receive a free T-shirt and will be automatically entered in a drawing for four round trip domestic Delta Airline tickets, three nights accommodations and four two-day passes to Disney World.
Donating blood takes about an hour from start to finish. Donors can expect the following:
*Registration - Red Cross staff will complete a form and ask for a donor card, driver's license or picture ID.
*Mini-physical - A staff member will check a donor's pulse, temperature, blood pressure and iron to make sure it is safe for him or her to donate.
*Confidential health history - A staff member will ask detailed questions about a donor's health.
*Donation - Actual donation time is about six to 12 minutes.
*Refreshments - Relax and enjoy a snack and some juice.
*After donating - Most people can resume their normal schedules.
About 4 million people need blood each year in the U.S. - an average of one person every two seconds.
Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses. Some people need regular blood transfusions to live.
Despite the urgent need, only 5 percent of eligible donors in the U.S. give blood.
