Community Blood Drive to Help Local Hospital Patients on Wednesday, Sept. 21

 

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. (Sept. 20, 2016) – The Bartow County community is invited to help save local lives at a blood drive this Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. with the Georgia State Patrol and the non-profit blood donor center, Blood Assurance. The community blood drive will be held at the new patrol facility located at GA-20 Spur, Smiley Ingram Rd SE, Cartersville, GA. In addition to the blood drive, any state patrol officer that does not know their blood type has the opportunity to participate in “blood typing,” where they may learn their blood type in a couple of minutes with just a simple finger prick.

“We are always looking for an opportunity to give back to our community in an effort that can involve everyone,” said Buck Sgt. Anthony McDaniel. “Blood typing is very important for us in law enforcement because any of us at any time could need blood.” The assigned counties of Post 3 of the Georgia State Patrol in Cartersville include Bartow and Polk counties.

Blood Assurance is the sole provider of blood and blood products for Cartersville Medical Center, and just one blood donation saves three lives in the Bartow County area. The mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.

In addition to community blood drives, Blood Assurance has a donor facility in Cartersville located at 921 B Joe Frank Harris Parkway, across from Cartersville Medical Center and behind Dairy Queen. The facility accepts blood donations Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids – avoiding caffeine – and eat a meal that is rich in protein prior to donating. For more information on donating blood or hosting a blood drive, please visit www.bloodassurance.org  or call (770) 334-3261.

 

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