Did you know that only five percent of the population donates blood to fulfill all patient blood needs? Misconceptions are a big reason why more people don’t donate blood, but new donors are always in high demand.
While much more goes in to qualifying a donor to safely give blood, there are many common instances when people assume they can’t give blood but they really can.  Some of these include taking medication including blood pressure, cholesterol or anti-depressants, traveling outside the U.S., getting a tattoo or piercing or having a history of cancer.
Potential donors are encouraged to call United Blood Services to find out if they are eligible to donate blood.
The Woonsocket Community Club is sponsoring the next opportunity to give, which will be Monday, Dec. 14 at the Woonsocket Community Center from 12 noon to 6 p.m. To make an appointment, contact Gay Swenson at 796-4272, or for more information call United Blood Services at 1-800-917-4929.
To donate blood, volunteers must be at least 16 years old (16-year-old donors need a minor donor permit which is available online) and be in good health. To save time, donors can now fill out their Health History Questionnaire online at www.unitedbloodservices.org  the day of their donation.