Giving the gift of life through blood donation

The holidays are always a time for reverie. Families gather, feasts are had and there is a general sense of hopefulness. There’s also a sense of giving, and this year, Houston Healthcare and Central Georgia Technical College have come together with the American Red Cross in the hopes that some would be willing to give in a different way: a blood drive.

This December 2 and 30, Central Georgia Technical College will be hosting two blood drives in their multipurpose building, at 80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, between noon and 5:00 p.m.

Registration is simple. Go to redcrossblood.org, type in your zip code, and choose the dates that you’re available to donate. Once your results have come in, you will find both drives at CGTC, as well as many others in different locations. If getting even more active in bloods drives is something you would like to look into, such as hosting a blood drive, or even volunteering at one, you can register at the same website.

Here is some important information of which you may want to take note. Before you go to give blood, always make sure to eat iron-rich foods, such as fish and beans and drink plenty of water. Also, may a conscious effort to get plenty of sleep the night before. When you arrive to donate, you will need a photo ID, as well as provide a list of any medications you take. If you want to save time, you can also fill out and receive a RapidPass application online, a simple four-step process that you can complete at redcrossblood.org.

After you’ve registered, you’ll be required to answer some health history questions, and then you will receive a general health check. Once all the preliminary things are done, you, as the donor, will be seated in a chair, and a pint of blood will be drawn. Once the donation is complete, refreshments—traditionally cookies and juice—will be provided, and then you will be allowed 10-15 minutes to rest before you continue your day. The entire process typically takes about an hour.

According to online sources, there is no second choice when it comes to blood. Your donation matters, and it can go to help patients with any number of illnesses, from cancer patients to sickle cell patients—even burn patients could benefit from your generosity. Simply put, your donations can save lives. This year, for the winter holidays, you have the opportunity to do more than just eat with the family, or open gifts. This year, you can, as the American Red Cross says, “Give the gift of hope. Give the gift of life.”

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