Lifeshare saves lives, donate today
Lifeshare will be back in our community again in an attempt to gather lifesaving blood through their local blood drives. Lifeshare was started in 1942 according to their website by “civic-minded residents who realized a blood bank was needed for emergencies created by WWII, founded the Shreveport Memorial Blood Bank. Operating as a nonprofit organization, during its 70 years the blood bank has had different names to reflect its growth and in 1996 it became LifeShare Blood Centers and now operates throughout many areas of Louisiana, East Texas and southern Arkansas.”
There are several testimonials on their website from people who have benefitted from life-saving blood transfusions including Alicia McLelland Gilbert who at the time was thirty-twoyears-old when her life was saved by a blood transfusion. She received six pints of blood at Christus St. Michael Texarkana in August of 2012. She walked into the ER just two hours away from bleeding to death internally.
Every day our local hospitals are just one catastrophe from, or a run of patients in need for blood to be faced with emergency blood shortages. With the constant need for blood, Lifeshare holds regular blood drives. Melanie Eaves, LifeShare Blood Center Donor Recruiter of Texarkana explains the current efforts to acquire blood. “We have ‘blood mobiles’ set up at local businesses or you can donate at LifeShare Blood Center is located at 3020 Summerhill Road in Texarkana, Texas. We work 7 days per week to bring in the blood needed for hospitals in our area and surrounding areas. “
The blood that is gathered goes to area hospitals in our area and surrounding areas in need. More specifically in order to find out what blood kind of blood and what blood is needed where “daily inventory reports keep up with the supply and demand,” says Eaves.
In case you are wondering, “Anyone can donate blood, but you are required to weigh 110 lbs. Certain health conditions or various meds may prohibit you to donate. Traveling or living out of the country for a significate amount of time may prohibit donating. And if you have low iron or any form of anemia this may prohibit you from donating as well.” Eaves encourages you to stop by to get information and find out more.
Some might be curious about how much blood they take. “This is contingent upon your blood type, weight, and vitals. Typically, we take one pint of whole blood. With type O and type B, we may ask for a red cell donation if you are cleared through the interview process,” explains Eaves.
For those who have never given blood, They should “start preparing ahead by drinking lots of water and eat nutritional food. Unlike the doctor’s office, we want you to eat and drink not fast. The process takes about 30 minutes starting with registration to the donation process. All of our products are distributed to hospitals for patients in need. It takes 56 days for one pint of blood, 112 days with red cell donation for the body to replenish the blood that was given,” says Eaves.
It is important for people to understand how important their donation is, appeals Eaves, “Without volunteer blood donors we can’t provide or save others in need. Blood donation is important because maintaining an adequate blood supply in our community secures blood transfusions for patients. It gives donors a medical check at no cost. You will receive a call notifying you where your blood is distributed and knowing you are helping others can reduce stress and improve your emotional well-being. Donating blood has benefits for your emotional and physical health. I like to refer to it as an oil change for your body.”