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Jan 18: You Can Save A Life

For Immediate Release

January 18, 2008

One blood donation can save up to three lives. The lives that are saved are people who live right here in our community. For example, Becky had a baby named Isaiah at Memorial Hospital in 2006. Isaiah was born prematurely, and was kept alive because of multiple blood transfusions. This was able to happen because of blood donations. Another life that has been changed because of blood donations is Dell. Her husband’s life has been extended because of frequent blood transfusions he has had at Memorial. Jenna was saved at birth by a blood transfusion. She weighed only two pounds when she was born, and was transported to Memorial from a Denver Hospital. During transportation, Jenna became sick and needed a blood transfusion. Because of blood donors at Memorial, Jenna’s life was saved.

65 percent of the United States population is eligible to give blood, but only five percent do. A single blood donation can save three lives, and every 90 seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion.

Some facts about blood donation:

  • The average adult body contains 10 –12 pints of blood. 1 pint = 1 donation
  • The most common blood types are O+ (37 percent) and A+ (36 percent). All blood types are needed.
  • If you start donating blood at age 17, you could potentially donate more than 300 times and help over 900 patients by the time you turn 70.
  • You may donate every 56 days (every 8 weeks).
  • The Universal blood donor is O- (7 percent), which means their blood can be transfused to any person regardless of their blood type.

January is National Blood Donor Awareness Month, and Memorial wants to thank those people who have participated in their local blood drives.

The time to donate blood is now. Give the gift of life and donate today. If you are interested in donating blood, Memorial has two convenient locations:

Memorial Hospital Central
1400 East Boulder
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Briargate Medical Campus
8890 North Union, Suite 209
Mondays, 3 – 7 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are appreciated. To make an appointment, please call (719) 365-5411. For more information about blood donation, please visit www.memorialhealthsystem.com.

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Please contact Memorial Health System’s Public Relations Office at (719) 365-5235 for more information.