Published: August 27, 2008 04:04 pm      

Francis Tuttle to have blood drive on Thursday

Officials at Francis Tuttle Technology Center have been told the city’s blood supply is low and area residents can help by participating in a student-sponsored blood drive at the school.

The first blood drive of the year will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday in the Campus Center, Room 2130, of Francis Tuttle’s Rockwell campus, 12777 N. Rockwell, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Blood Institute.

Donors must be at least 17 years old (must have parental permission if 17), must bring driver’s license or other photo I.D., and must weigh at least 110 pounds.

Donors also are advised to get a good night’s sleep before donating, as well as to eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before and after donating.

“Please encourage friends and co-workers to join you,” said Jeffrey Knapp, a Francis Tuttle official. “Each donor will receive a free back pack.”



Did you know:

A single shock trauma victim can use 100 units of blood components in a just a few hours?

Blood donors can give every 56 days or 8 weeks. Plasma donors can give every 28 days, and platelets can be given up to 24 times a year.

About 60 percent of the US population is eligible to donate blood. Less than 5 percent actually do.

About 1 billion red blood cells can be found in 2 to 3 drops of blood. For every 500 red blood cells, there are about 40 platelets and only one white cell.

One out of every 10 hospitalized patients needs blood therapy.