BLOOD DONATIONS
Blood donations can be made at the Red Cross office, 2032 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan on every Thursday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Call the office at 457-7739 to make an appointment, or drop in the day of the blood drive. Donors with appointments will have priority over drop-ins.
In addition, upcoming Community Bloodmobiles include:
December 12: Fire Station, Random Lake: 1:30 - 6:00
December 19 : Armory, Plymouth: 11:15 to 5:30
December 27: First United Lutheran Church, Sheboygan: 11:30 to 5:30
January 17: St. Pauls Lutheran, Sheboygan Falls: 11:30 to 5:30
January 28 : Hingham Reformed Church, Hingham: 1:00 to 5:30
February 14 : Howards Grove High School, Howards Grove: noon to 5:00
February 20 : Kohler Human Resources, Kohler Company: 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
February 20 : Armory, Plymouth: 11:15 to 5:30
The Red Cross philosophy is that healthy individuals have a social responsibility to provide blood for their community. "Community" is anyone, anywhere who needs blood. Community responsibility is based upon the tradition of people helping people.
Giving blood is safe and simple. The entire process takes about an hour.
To help ensure a good experience, you should increase your fluid intake before and after giving blood. It's a good idea to eat something within four hours before giving blood. When you come in to donate blood, you're asked a number of questions regarding your health, and then we check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and iron count. We then collect a pint of blood which takes about six to eight minutes. Then you will spend 15 minutes enjoying refreshments. That's it!
Giving blood is safe. We are committed to making your blood donation a pleasant experience. We use a sterile needle and bag to collect your blood. Both are used only for you! This ensures that you cannot get any infection or disease from giving blood.
How does your blood donation help? Your blood donation is taken to the Red Cross laboratory where it is tested and separated into its component parts. In this way, your donation could help more than one patient! Red Blood Cells must be transfused within 42 days. These cells carry the body's oxygen supply and are needed by patients undergoing chemotherapy, having surgery or recovering from traumatic injuries. Platelets must be transfused within five days. Platelets are fragile blood cells that cancer patients and others need to control bleeding. Plasma can be frozen for one year. Plasma is the yellow liquid portion of blood. It is a source of the proteins that stop bleeding by forming blood clots. White blood cells must be transfused within 24 hours. White blood cells are given to help patients fight infections.
When a patient receives Red Cross blood, it is a gift from a volunteer donor. Hospitals reimburse the Red Cross for costs of collecting, testing, storing and delivering the safest blood for patients. This processing fee is passed on to patients and is paid by most health insurance plans. There is never a charge for the blood itself.