Golden Valley Plans to Host Community Blood Drive

According to Memorial Blood Center, 1 in 3 people will need blood in their lifetime. Every time you donate blood, you may save up to 3 lives.

Because of the need for donated blood, the City of Golden Valley and Memorial Blood Center will sponsor a community blood drive on March 6 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at Golden Valley public safety building.

In order to donate blood, various criteria must be met.

Donors must:

• Be 17 years old, or have a 16-year-old consent form
• Weigh 110 pounds or more
• Be free of antibiotics for 24 hours, unless taken daily for skin condition
• Be symptom-free for at least 3 days following a cold or flu

If you choose to donate, Memorial Blood Center suggests the following tips for a good experience:

• Get a solid night’s sleep before donating
• Eat a full meal within six hours prior to your appointment
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for a few hours after donating
• Make sure that your system is fully hydrated—drink 12-16 ounces or more just prior to donating and plenty of fluids for the remainder of the day

To schedule an appointment to donate blood in Golden Valley, go online and create a free donor ID.