Garth Englund Donor Center working with University of Colorado Health will be at Fossil on Feb. 10 for the school’s annual blood drive.

The Youth Blood Drive held as one of Fossil’s senior service projects every year will be led, this year, by Sophie Gwilliam. Aimed at bettering public health, Gwilliam decided to lead the blood drive. “It’s a great way to give back to the community,” she stated, “ all the blood donations will be distributed to all northern Colorado hospitals.”

Professional nurses will be on site procuring blood and performing all medical procedures. The donation process will take approximately 30-45 minutes. Donors will be asked of his or her medical history and will undergo a mini health check entailing a temperature check, blood pressure, pulse, and hematocrit level. Once the donor’s blood is drawn, they will be asked to eat and drink provided food in order to replenish their body.

Mallory Kellum, a classmate of Gwelliam’s in advisory class will also bedonating blood. “We will be able to help many people and even save lives with every blood donation,” she said. “Everyone should come if they are able, because every pint of blood will be given to a person in need,” she continued.

Current blood supplies fall short of high demands for life-saving blood.                                                                                            Here are some statistical ratings:

• Every 3 seconds someone needs blood. An average of 40,000 units of blood are needed every day in the U.S.
• Less than 5% of the population donates blood. Yet, about 60% of the population is eligible to donate. 
  • There is a great need for blood. Disasters like car accidents, fires, and other trauma cases happen every day. A bleeding trauma victim can run through 10 units of blood in no time.
• 20% of blood recipients are children— many are cancer patients
• You can save 3 lives. One pint of blood from one donor can help up to three different people.
• Your fluid volume is replaced very quickly. The human body is amazing. Your body will replenish the fluid lost during the donation within 24 hours.
• Giving blood may save YOUR life. During your interview, you will receive a “mini-physical”; we will check your temperature, pulse,blood pressure, and test for anemia
• For men, there is a life-saving benefit to donating blood. Research shows if men give blood three times a year they can reduce their iron overload and therefore their risk of heart attack by as much as 50%.
  

Anyone of 18 years and older is eligible to donate blood. For those who are of 17 years, a written parental or guardian consent is required. All participants must be at least 120 pounds in weight and in good general health. A minimum of 12 months after pierced ears, or other body parts is mandatory. This also includes tattoos, unless a note from the shop or artist is given to the medical practitioner. For those who have illegally injected any drugs with a hypodermic needle are ineligible to donate blood.

It is asked by the Youth Blood Drive that all participants drink supplemental amounts of water the day before and eat within four hours prior to donation. Donors scheduled for blood transfusion in the morning from 8:30am to 10:00am will be meeting in the Fossil parking lot by the blood drive truck. Others scheduled after 10:00am will be meeting in the front office where blood transfusions will take place.

Please join the Youth Blood Drive to help make a great impact on the community. You have the opportunity of becoming a hero to someone in need and hope for their families.