Blood donation matters; Blood Drive scheduled for April 3 in Waukon

How much blood is needed by certain patients? Here are some facts from the LifeServe Blood Center.

• Cancer patients can use up to 8 units of blood a month.
• Bone Marrow Transplant patients can use up to 2 units a day.
• Cardiovascular Surgery patients can use between 2-25 units.
• Liver Transplant patients can use up to 100 units.
• Auto/Trauma Accident patients can use up 5-100 units.
• Premature infants can use up to 1-4 units.
• Burn victims can use up to 20 units of platelets.
• Heart surgery patients can use up to 3-8 units of red cells and 1-10 units of platelets.
• Organ transplant patients can use 10-30 units of blood.

The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, April 3 from 12-5 p.m. The blood drive will be held at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.

The donation process is simple:
1. Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids at least four hours prior to donating.
2. Bring proper identification, such as your donor card or a driver’s license.
3. Complete a health history questionnaire and screening interview.
4. Receive a brief health check by trained staff.  This includes a check of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and blood iron levels.
5. Sit back while a unit of blood, approximately one pint, is collected. This process takes around 10 minutes.
6. Enjoy refreshments while relaxing for 10-15 minutes before leaving the facility.

To help maintain Iowa’s blood supply, donate at the Waukon Community Blood Drive, Monday, April 3, at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, call the LifeServe Blood Center at 800-287-4903.