American Red Cross Blood Drive at WVC May 9 and 10

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on May 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wenatchee Valley College. An American Red Cross van will be available near the fountain area on the Wenatchee campus. Participants must show picture identification.

The WVC Student Nurses of Wenatchee (SNOW) club is coordinating and sponsoring the event. To schedule an appointment, contact Leslie Lund at 509.884.6925. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The club is encouraging donors who meet the height and weight requirement to consider becoming a “Double Red Cell Donor.” According to the American Red Cross website, www.redcrossblood.org, red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component and are needed for most patients requiring transfusions. Double red cell donation involves using a machine which collects the red cells, but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. This process takes approximately 20-30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation. If donors meet eligibility criteria, two units of red blood cells are collected. To be eligible, males must be at least 5’1” in height, weigh at least 130 lbs., and be in good health. Females must be at least 5’5” in height, weigh at least 150 lbs., and be in good health. Please check with a representative at the blood drive to confirm your eligibility for double red cell donation.