Linda Shannon-Hills, Roxanne Watson, and Tina Fugleberg
We need your help. The American Red Cross continues to be short on needed blood. If you can donate, we encourage you to register to donate.
The next drive at the Ranch will be on Saturday, July 16, starting at 7 a.m., with the last donation start time at 1 p.m. The drive will be held in the SBR Ranch House Sol Ballroom. Log in to donate at www.redcrossblood.org.
Many residents are traveling or are back in their summer homes, limiting the number of regular donors. So, if you are available and can give, please sign up.
Download the Red Cross Blood Donor app to your smartphone. With the app, you can register for blood drives, complete the RapidPASS on the day of the blood donation, keep track of your donations, as well as have your donor card on your phone for faster check in. It puts the power to save lives in the palm of your hand. You can also check on all your donations and your vitals, plus follow the path of your blood journey every step of the way to the patient receiving your blood.
Can You Go Power Red?
If you are willing to take a bit longer during donations, the Red Cross encourages those who qualify to sign up to donate Power Red. You ask, what is a Power Red donation? This type of donation allows you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation. During your Power Red donation, blood is drawn from one arm through an automated process. The machine separates and collects two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you through the same arm. Donation frequency is 112 days, up to three times a year. Blood types are O+, O-, A-, and B-.
The schedule for the Red Cross Blood Drives at SaddleBrooke Ranch for the rest of the year is Saturdays July 16, Sept. 24, and Dec. 3.
Learn more about donating blood at www.redcrossblood.org.