Blood Drive at First Baptist Church Set for Thursday

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to help the community, then consider donating blood at on Thursday.

The Red Cross has had a presence at First Baptist Church since 2005, and continues to hold blood drives there every second Thursday of the month.

“[The Red Cross has been coming] forever, It’s been a long time,” said Lori Clark, who works in the office at the church. “It’s just a community service, [and] we provide the building for them.”

Gayle Rohner, account manager with the Donor Recruitment Division of the Red Cross, said they’ve held blood drives at several locations in Gilroy, with many dating back to early 2000.

“We have a lot [of blood drives] in Gilroy, and they’re a very generous community,” Rohner said. “They’re willing to open up to the community, to provide us with a site, to provide the local patients with blood from the local communities.”

The Red Cross has a great turnout when it holds local blood drives, with around 55 people donating blood at each event. That number allows the Red Cross to secure about 40 units of blood, Rohner said.

In fact, the Red Cross has been so successful with the Gilroy community, Rohner said they held a celebration last summer in honor of their 125th blood drive, and thanked the community and church for their support.

The Red Cross holds blood drives throughout the year at other locations that include and . On February 18, the Red Cross will be collecting blood at the Christian school for a Gilroy woman with Sickle Cell Anemia, a disease characterized by abnormal red blood cells that’s predominate in African Americans, Rohner said.

The Red Cross will also hold a slew of blood drives in September for Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month.

If you’re interested in donating blood on Thursday, head over to First Baptist Church, located at 8455 Wren Ave., between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. A list detailing blood drives that will be held in the upcoming months is below, along with tips on how to prepare for giving blood.

Upcoming Blood Drives in Gilroy

• The holds four annual blood drives in partnership with and . Blood drives will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Feb. 4, May 5, Aug. 4 and Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• There will be one blood drive in the spring and another in the fall at . Dates and times are on their way.

• The blood drive at Anchor Point Christian school is on Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tips for a Successful Blood Donation, Provided by the Red Cross

Before Donating

• Maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals and raisins.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Drink an extra 16 ounces of water and fluids before the donation.
• Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries or ice cream before donating. Tests for infections done on all donated blood can be affected by fats that appear in your blood for several hours after eating fatty foods.
• If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation.
• Remember to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID.

While Donating

• Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
• Let the phlebotomist know if you have a preferred arm and show the staff any good veins that have been used successfully in the past to draw blood.
• Relax, listen to music, talk to other donors or read during the donation process.
• Take the time to enjoy a snack and a drink in the refreshments area immediately after donating.

After Donating

• Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours to replenish any fluids you lost during donation.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about five hours after donation.
• If you feel light headed, lie down, preferably with feet elevated, until the feeling passes.
• In rare cases when bleeding occurs after removing the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for 3-5 minutes. If bleeding or bruising occurs under the skin, apply a cold pack to the area periodically during the first 24 hours.
• If for any reason something doesn't feel right, call the American Red Cross toll-free number provided to you after your donation.
• Enjoy the good feeling that comes with knowing that you may have saved as many as three lives.