Fire Station No. 19 Hosting Blood Drive Monday

WOODSTOCK, GA — The American Red Cross will hold a Blood Drive Monday, Oct. 7 at Cherokee County Fire Station No. 19, located at 100 Ridge Mill Court, Acworth.

The event will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. in the community room of the fire station. All presenting donors will receive a t-shirt and a coupon from Cheeseburger Bobby’s.

For more information or to schedule an appointment and to complete your RapidPass, which is where you answer your health history questions online before coming to the blood drive, please go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: cherokeefire#19.

Before You Donate

• Make an appointment: Select a donation type and find a convenient time that works best for you. FIND A DRIVE
• Get the dish on nutrition: Have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins. MORE ABOUT IRON
• Be well rested and hydrate: Get a good night's sleep the night before your donation, eat healthy foods and drink extra liquids. LEARN MORE
• Donating Platelets? Don't take aspirin for 2 days before your appointment. Learn About Platelet Donations.
• Ask a friend to donate at the same time . You can support each other and do twice as much good!
• Download the Blood Donor App to receive appointment reminders, start your RapidPass and more.

On the Day of Your Donation

• RapidPass: To expedite your donation, start your RapidPass on the day of your appointment.
• Photo ID: Bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of identification.
• Medication list: Volunteers need to know about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you're taking.
• Drink an extra 16 oz. of water (or other nonalcoholic drink) before your appointment.
• Eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream.
• Wear a shirt with sleeves that you can roll up above your elbows.
• Let volunteers know if you have a preferred arm or particular vein that has been used successfully in the past to draw blood.
• Relax, listen to music, talk to other donors or read while you donate.

After Your Donation

• Enjoy a snack: Relax for a few minutes in our refreshment & recovery area — have some cookies or other snacks — you’ve earned it!
• Tell others about your good deed: The gratification of giving blood is a feeling you'll want to share.
• Drink extra liquids: Drink an extra four (8 oz.) glasses of liquids and avoid alcohol over the next 24 hours.
• Keep the strip bandage on for the next several hours; to avoid a skin rash, clean the area around the bandage with soap and water.

• Don’t do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.
• If the needle site starts to bleed, apply pressure and raise your arm straight up for 5-10 minutes or until bleeding stops.
• Call us at 1-866-236-3276 to report any additional health information that you forgot to tell us, if you have any problems or if you needed medical care after giving blood.
• If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness, stop what you’re doing and sit down or lie down until you feel better; avoid performing any activity where fainting may lead to injury for at least 24 hours.
• Keep eating iron-rich foods.
• If you donate frequently, be sure to take multivitamins with iron to ensure you continue to replenish your iron stores before your next donation.

All tips from the American Red Cross.