Donate Blood This June to Save Lives!

6/3/2019

Wednesday, June 26 2019

1506 Congress Street, Laurel MS

11:30 am - 4:30 pm

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How can you help? There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to giving blood. In general, besides a few exceptions, most healthy adults are eligible to give.

The following tips can help put you in the best position to help save lives.

Two hours before your donation, make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water. In addition, you may need to make a minor adjustment to your diet in the weeks leading up to your donation. In the summer season, the heat can lower your levels of iron. Stocking up on particular foods can help replenish iron and electrolytes. Take note of the list of recommended foods below:

Red Meat

Fish

Poultry

Spinach

Raisins

Beans

Volunteer donors must be over the age of 16 and in good health. Adults weighing 110 pounds and up are able to donate. For donors between the ages of sixteen to twenty two, please take note of the height / weight chart for slightly stricter requirements.

Medications: For the most part, medications are not a barrier to donate. To give blood, you are required to be free of antibiotics in your system for at least 24 hours. There are certain restrictions to other less prevalent medications such as Accutane, Proscar, Propecia, and Coumadin/Warfarin. For more details, click here or contact Vitalant.

Preparing to donate: The day of your blood donation, make sure to eat within two hours of your donation and drink plenty of fluids. You will need to bring your full legal name with photo ID or blood donor ID card. We hope the above information was helpful and that you can help to take part in our upcoming blood drive. Even if you are unable to donate, please share this with a friend or family member. Getting the word out is equally as helpful in helping to save more lives!

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT