Blood Drive Benefits Locals

The United Blood Services (UBS) held their July Blood Drive at the Old Overton Gym on Thursday, July 23. The UBS center visits Moapa Valley every eight weeks. Blood drives are held at a variety of locations throughout the year. The Moapa Valley High School hosts three drives each year, Bowler Elementary and Mack Lyon Middle School each host two drives a year, the American Legion Auxiliary holds one drive and the July drive is held each year at different locations in the valley.

Lindsay said that one local donor recently received a pin of recognition for having donated over 20 gallons of blood in his lifetime. “He has been donating since he got out of the Army and is usually the first one in the door,” she said.

This year the turnout was a bit lighter than last year. A total of 14 donations were made with 15 units of blood collected. Last year’s totals were 35 donors and 43 units of blood. “We aren’t sure why the numbers were down so much this year,” stated Lindsay.

During the blood drive Donor Care Supervisor Wendy Smith was on hand to make sure the afternoon went smoothly. At this six hour drive there were 36 slots available for donors. Smith and her crew saw a long and slow evening with the low turnout.

Last year’s drive was in honor of Janet LaPorte who was suffering from breast cancer. This year LaPorte had asked that the community come together and donate blood to create an awareness of the need to help those battling cancer. Smith explained that a majority of the blood collected stays in the region. “There are always circumstances that would send the blood elsewhere, but for the most part blood drawn here will stay here,” she said.

There are two types of blood draws that can be done during the drive. The most common is the whole blood draw which was explained as “the old-fashioned way” and takes approximately 15 minutes. The other is the automated draw. This draw takes approximately 45 minutes and provides two usable units of red blood while giving back saline and plasma to the donor.

All donors enjoyed a light snack during their resting time after their draw and all donors received a United Blood Services t-shirt for their donations.