Community Blood Drive Tuesday, June 9

WORLAND — With gatherings in Wyoming now allowed up to 250 people, the next Worland Community Blood Drive will be Tuesday, June 9 from 11:15 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. at the Worland Senior Center.

Persons donating will be asked to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Vitalant staff members will be wearing masks. Donors will also be required to wear masks.

Donors will have their temperatures checked and temperatures must be below 99.5 degrees F.

Local organizer Judy Council said this blood drive is especially important since the April drive was canceled and June blood contributions are typically down 40% from the rest of the year.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply to some donors age 22 and younger. Donors who are 16 or 17 must have a signed permission form from a parent or guardian.

Before you roll up your sleeve to help someone else, please take care of yourself:

•Eat a healthy, low-fat meal within two hours ahead of your donation. The day before, eat a salty snack. When you donate blood, you lose about a gram of salt. Replacing it ahead of time helps keep your blood pressure normal.

•Hydrate by drinking 8 to 16 ounces of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages one hour before you donate. Water is a great choice.

•Avoid or limit caffeinated sodas, coffee, iced tea and energy drinks on the day of donation.

Donors can preregister on the day of the drive to save time at the drive by completing the fast track health history at http://www.vitalant.org.

For more information or to make an appointment call organizer Judy Council at 347-9388.

Council reminds donors that when they donate blood, the blood comes back to Wyoming hospitals at a 99% rate.