Tuesday, 08 March 2011 12:03

If you are interested in donating blood, there will be a blood drive on Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The Bloodmobile will be on Fraser Avenue, in front of the west lawn of Lamport Stadium.

Call 416 550 2059 or 1 800 2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283) to book your appointment on Toronto's Bloodmobile. Walk-ins are also welcome!

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR BLOOD DONATION

IDENTIFICATION: ID with full name and signature, or full name and photograph required.

AGE: Between 17th and 71st birthday if you are a regular donor, or between 17th and 61st birthday if you are a first time donor.

WEIGHT: At least 50 KG (110 lbs).

FREQUENCY OF DONATION:  Minimum interval between blood donations is 56 days.

HEALTH: In general good health and feeling well. You should have had something to eat and adequate sleep. You must also meet hemoglobin (iron) requirements (test done at clinic).

SCREENING:  At the time of donation, you will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility.

SOME NOTES ON DONATING

If you have had a dental treatment (extraction, filings, cleaning and restoration), you must wait until the day after treatment for cleaning or filing. For extractions, root canal or dental surgery, you must wait 72 hours before donating, provided there is a full recovery.

If you have a cold, flu or sore throat, please wait until you are fully recovered before donating blood.

If you had ear or body piercing, or tattooing, you must wait until after 6 months before donating blood.

Donating blood does not put you at risk of disease. All needles are sterile, used only once and discarded after. The usual blood collection- a "unit"- is about half a litter, or one pint. Your body soon replaces all the blood you donate.

For more information about donating blood and the Bloodmobile, please contact the Canadian Blood Services by calling 1 888 2-DONATE (1 888 236-6283) or visit their website at http://www.bloodservices.ca.