Feel good about giving back: Donate blood

By the Iola Lions Club

Many people want to give back to the community but may not have a lot of money or time to volunteer. In only about an hour, volunteer blood donors can help save lives and feel instant gratification. Feel good about giving back: Donate blood on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Iola Lions/American Red Cross Blood Drive.

The community is invited to give back and help save lives by donating blood from noon to 5 p.m. at the Community Fitness & Aquatic Center in Iola.

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteers. By donating blood, individuals can make a difference in the lives of patients in their community and throughout the nation. Each unit donated helps 1-3 persons.

We hope to see you there but if you don’t feel well or are recovering from an illness, please cancel your appointment; also, if you were recently vaccinated for influenza, pneumonia, Tdap, tetanus or meningitis, you can still donate as long as you feel well on Nov. 18, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free,

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.