Blood drive provides opportunity for Maricopans to give

Any Maricopan who wants to be a super hero will get the chance on Saturday.

That is because on that day they will have the opportunity to donate blood and save a life.

Despite increased efforts by agencies throughout the state, there is constantly a shortage in the amount of blood that is available.

“We need to collect roughly 79,000 units of blood every year, yet only collect 66,000,” said Ken Krueger, a spokesman for American Red Cross Blood Services in Arizona.

Debra Deninger, communication manager for the American Red Cross Blood Services in Arizona, added that “the Red Cross in Arizona has three bloodmobiles that travel across the state every day but Christmas collecting blood, and yet we still cannot keep up on supplies.”

The key to stopping this problem is getting more people to donate.

The Arizona State Legislature passed a bill earlier this year that would allow 16-year-olds to donate with a parent’s consent, but the bill will not go into effect until near the end of the year.

Anyone in Arizona 17 years or older may donate blood as long as they weigh more than 110 pounds, have not donated within the past eight weeks, don’t use a needle to take non-prescription drugs, are free of Hepatitis B or C and are not at risk for spreading the AIDS virus.

When a person goes to donate they must have two forms of identification.

The Maricopa blood drive will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Saturday, at Maricopa Wells Middle School, 45725 W. Honeycutt Ave.

For information call (480) 675-5497 or visit www.bloodhero.com to schedule an appointment.

Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross