Pie for your pint

One in three Americans will need a blood transfusion over the course of their lives, but only one in 20 people regularly donate blood to help fill this vital need, according to a recent news release. Between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. July 12, the Knights of Columbus and United Blood Services will be holding a blood drive at St. Anne’s Parish Hall in Saratoga to help address this deficit, and all qualified individuals are encouraged to drop by and give some drops to their neighbors.

Donors will be given a free slice of home-baked pie, and entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit health-tracking smart watch. Blood drive coordinator Jim Larscheid says donation is fast, conducted by experienced professionals and involves very little pain.

The payout for such a minor inconvenience is the chance to help save up to four lives. In order to meet demand for southern Wyoming, around 500 people must donate blood every week, and deficits in blood supply can result in tragic outcomes for those in desperate need.

According to Larscheid, the need for blood is relatively constant, but donations typically drop-off during the summer months when regular donors are vacationing or otherwise distracted. “Giving blood is one of the most important, rewarding and compassionate things a person can do,” Larscheid said. To do so in the summer months is to time the giving of a precious gift perfectly.

Because blood can transmit certain diseases such as the Zika virus and HIV, there are some travel and behavioral risks that potential donors are screened for. The screening process is fast and easy, however, and filling out an online questionnaire found at http://www.unitedbloodservices.org can expedite the screening process further.

Donors are advised to limit their intake of caffeine on the day of donation, drink lots of water, eat a substantial meal 30 to 45 minutes before arrival and bring a list of current medications to the donation center. A photo ID and a comprehensive list of any international travel (including dates traveled) will also be required.

Though walk-ins will be welcomed, an appointment can be made by calling Larscheid at 326-8603, or online at http://www.bloodhero.com (sponsor code: toga). Take a few minutes to be a hero this summer–100 percent of this donation goes to a good cause.