Blood Works
Published 8:55 am Tuesday, January 7, 2014
By Samantha Stevens
Apart from the Super Bowl and the start of a new year, January is also national Blood Donation Month. While blood donation is not exactly at the top of trend lists for 2014, donating blood in your local area is extremely important. Blood transfusions and supplementation are vital to treating injured patients. Every two seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion.
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However, there are often donation shortages, which leave hospitals and patients alike at risk. Blood is perishable with red blood cells only having a shelf life of 42 days and platelets just five days, so supply must be replenished constantly. United Blood Services offers a mobile donation site allowing you to donate when it is most convenient for you and your busy life. O type blood is in the highest demand because it is compatible with all blood types. Unfortunately it is also the blood type with the shortest supply. But before you run out to the nearest donation spot, take a moment to consider the different aspects involved in donating blood.
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Why Should I Donate?
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If you have questions concerning why you should donate, there are plenty of great reasons to get out there and give blood:
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• 20% of recipients are children- many of them cancer patients
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• One pint of blood from one donor can save up to three lives
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• At least 500 pints of blood must be collected daily in order to meet the area needs
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• If donors gave between two to four times per year, blood shortages would be eliminated
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• Approximately 60% of the population is able to give blood but less than 4% do
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Help make this year better for your community by getting out and giving blood. It takes less time than you think and helps countless people right here in our community.
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What Is The Donation Process Like?
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In order to get through the donation process faster, here are some key points you should familiarize yourself with:
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• Bring an ID card with you. Some acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, work or school ID (with picture and full name), or a passport. You can also bring a Blood Donor Card to speed up registration. If you do not have one you can ask the staff to order one for you.
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• Bring a list of all countries (and cities/areas) you have visited (with dates) in the past 12 months and do the same for all European countries you’ve visited since 1980.
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• Wear a top with loose-fitting sleeves (preferably short sleeves) so that the staff can check your blood pressure and locate the best vein to use to collect your blood.
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• If possible, make an appointment! The donation sites typically take clients with appointments before walk-ins.
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When Can I Donate?
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Before making an appointment, make sure you fit the qualifications for a donor. You must be at least 16 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds
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You should not donate that day if any of the following apply to you:
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• Have cold or flu symptoms or do not feel well on the day of donation
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• Had hepatitis after your 11th birthday
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• Have had close contact with someone with clinical hepatitis within the past 12 months
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• Had a blood transfusion, ear/skin piercing, acupuncture, accidental needle stick, or come in contact with someone else’s blood in the past 12 months
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• Had malaria in the past or traveled to a malarial risk area in the past 12 months.
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• Are or have been pregnant in the past 6 weeks
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• Have been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea in the past 12 months
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• Have used a needle to inject drugs not prescribed to you (including steroids)
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• Are at risk for exposure to HIV
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• Are currently taking antibiotics for an illness or infection.
Below is the schedule for the month of January. The schedule for the remainder of the year can be found on the United Blood Services website at UnitedBloodServices.org. Simply log-on, select the ‘Donate Now’ tab, and then select ‘Donate Blood’ on the right side of the page to find the donation site and time that works best for you.
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Date Location
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1/03/2014 Get Fit for the New Year Bloodmobile
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11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
5725 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503
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1/04/2014 Woodmen of the World Church Point Bloodmobile
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9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
102 Church Blvd., Church Point, LA 70525
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1/05/2014 Lowe’s Bloodmobile In Parking Lot
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9:00 AM – 12:15 PM
2816 Highway 14, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/05/2014 The Grand 16 Bloodmobile
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1:00 PM – 3:15 PM
3141 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503
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1/06/2014 Lafayette Donor Center
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8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
1503 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
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1/06/2014 Eastridge Nursing and Eastridge Assisted Living
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12:00 PM – 2:30 PM Bloodmobile In Parking Lot
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2305 Richard St., Abbeville, LA 70510
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1/06/2014 Azar Eye Clinic Bloodmobile
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12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
516 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, LA 70506
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1/06/2014 Iberia Medical Center Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2315 E. Main, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/10/2014 Adventures in Homeschool Bloodmobile
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3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
308 Hwy 93 N, Scott, LA 70583
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1/13/2014 Lafayette Donor Center
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8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
1503 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
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1/13/2014 Iberia Medical Center Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2315 E. Main, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/14/2014 Daspit Road Elementary Bloodmobile
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2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
1103 Daspit Road, New Iberia, LA 70563
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1/15/2014 Broussard Brothers Bloodmobile @ Broussard Bros
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2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
25817 Louisiana Highway 333, Abbeville, LA 70510
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1/15/2014 Wal Mart Ambassador Bloodmobile
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1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
3022 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70506
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1/16/2014 Frank’s International – Port of Iberia Bloodmobile
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7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
3500 Segura, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/17/2014 Nunu’s Fresh Market Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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2:45 PM – 6:00 PM
509 Lafayette St., Youngsville, LA 70592
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1/18/2014 Super 1 Foods-Carencro Bloodmobile
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1:45 PM – 4:00 PM
3916 NE Evangeline Thruway, Carencro, LA 70520
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1/18/2014 Wal Mart Breaux Bridge Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
1932 Rees St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
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1/19/2014 St. Joseph’s Church Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
208 E. Edith Road, Milton, LA 70558
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1/19/2014 Christ The King Church mobile unit
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10:00 AM – 12:15 PM
510 N.W. Evangeline Thrwy., Lafayette, LA 70502
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1/20/2014 Lafayette Donor Center
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8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
1503 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
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1/20/2014 Wal Mart – Pinhook Bloodmobile in the Parking Lot
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1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
2428 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette, LA 70508
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1/20/2014 Iberia Medical Center Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2315 E. Main, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/21/2014 Action Specialties Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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8:30 AM – 11:15 AM
7915 Highway 90 West, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/21/2014 Wal Mart New Iberia Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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1:15 PM – 3:45 PM
1205 East Admiral Doyle, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/22/2014 University Hospital & Clinics Bloodmobile
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7:15 AM – 12:00 PM
2390 West Congress, Lafayette, LA 70506
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1/22/2014 Cecil Picard Elementary @ Maurice Bloodmobile
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8:00 AM – 10:30 AM School
203 South Albert, Maurice, LA 70555
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1/24/2014 Bank of Sunset and Trust Co. Bloodmobile
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2:15 PM – 4:45 PM
863 Napolean Avenue, Sunset, LA 70584
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1/24/2014 The Grand Theatre 10 Bloodmobile
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5:00 PM – 7:15 PM
1000 Parkveiw Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/26/2014 Lafayette Jockey Lot Flea Market Bloodmobile
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12:00 PM – 2:15 PM
3011 N.W. Evangeline Thruwy, Lafayette, LA 70507
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1/26/2014 Wal Mart Broussard Bloodmobile
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1:45 PM – 5:45 PM
123 Saint Nazaire Rd, Broussard, LA 70518
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1/27/2014 Lafayette Donor Center
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8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
1503 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506
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1/27/2014 Iberia Medical Center Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2315 E. Main, New Iberia, LA 70560
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1/29/2014 Wal Mart Breaux Bridge Bloodmobile in Parking Lot
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2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
1932 Rees St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
