HIAWASSEE, Ga.- According to the American Red Cross, while approximately 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, only about 10 percent of those who are eligible actually donate. The demand for donated blood in our nation’s hospitals, however, is consistently high. It is estimated that roughly 40,000 pints of life-saving blood is used every single day, and the demand never decreases.

A total of 25 individuals signed up to donate blood at the Towns County Public Library, May 30. Towns County Emergency Management Agency hosted the event, and EMA Director and Paramedic Brandon Walls was on hand to sign in participants and answer donors’ questions.

Donated blood is used for a wide range of circumstances that can potentially affect anyone, which is also a primary reason people donate. Patients undergoing treatment for injuries suffered during an accident often rely on donated blood to save their lives. While all blood types are always needed, donations of more rare blood types are especially in demand. For example, people with O negative blood only make up about 8 percent of the population, but their blood can be given to patients of all blood types, making their donors highly needed.

Following an initial assessment which included various questions, along with body temperature, blood pressure, and hemoglobin checks, donors were led to begin the donation process which took approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Juice and snacks were offered following the procedure in order to hydrate and restore the donors’ blood sugar levels.

Feature Image: Towns County’s FYN reporter, donating blood