2006 News

July 25, 2006

Bucks County Partners With the Red Cross to Save Lives

The County of Bucks Human Resources Department sponsored two blood drives last week, including, Monday, July 17 at Neshaminy Manor and Friday, July 21 at the Bucks County Courthouse. The twin efforts culminated in 88 pints of blood donated to the American Red Cross.

“We appreciate the participation of our employees,” said Commissioner Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. “Their donation of one pint of blood and one hour of time could mean a new chance at life for someone else.” The chairman encourages employees to continue their generosity at future blood drives.

Donating blood is simple and convenient. It saves the lives of more than four million Americans each year. In the United States, someone needs blood every two seconds, for cancer, blood diseases, other illnesses and accidents. Transfusion demand creates a need for more than 38,000 blood donations every day.

Blood donation involves a safe, four-step process: registration and medical history, mini-physical, donation and refreshments. From start to finish, it takes about an hour.

To be eligible to donate blood, a donor must be in good health, at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. American Red Cross volunteers administer the mini-physical and take a brief health history to complete the screening process. Pregnancy, travel to certain parts of the world, inoculations, some health conditions and certain medications may exclude donation eligibility.

A healthy donor may donate whole blood every 56 days. To schedule an appointment or find a blood drive in your neighborhood call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to www.givelife.org. The County of Bucks sponsors bi-annual blood drives each July and January.