Contact: John Alcorn

        Sunrise hosts a Blood Drive from 2-4 times a year at the Briargate campus, on Sunday mornings between 830 and noon.  Members are encouraged to sign up in advance, but walk-ins are welcome.  Includes a free screening for cholesterol and other issues.

Who can give blood?  To give blood you must be 17 years of age, be in good health, and be at least 110 pounds.

How long does it take?  The whole process takes under an hour.  It starts with registration, a health history and a mini-physical.  The donation of blood usually takes less than 10-12 minutes.  Afterward, you will be asked to spend a few minutes relaxing where you can have light refreshments before returning to your normal activities.

Donating blood is easy and saves lives!  The blood you donate can be used to replace blood lost due to wounds, accidents, internal bleeding, childbirth complications, major surgery, and to treat excessive burns, kidney, liver, and blood diseases including leukemia and hemophilia.

There is NO substitute for human blood.  It can't be manufactured or replaced by animal blood.  Also, a fresh supply of blood is in constant need because it is perishable and can only be stored for a limited time.

The blood banks at Memorial and Penrose hospitals are self-supporting; blood drawn locally is used locally.  Combined, annually, they collect over 19,000 units (one unit is approximately one pint) and swap blood with each other, as needed.  The two new hospitals have increased the need for blood so church and business donation drives are more important than ever.  Please consider participating in the next time Sunrise asks for blood donors.

Memorial Hospital Blood Bank, 365-5411

Contact John Alcorn for more information.