blood supply at ERMC

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Oct. 30, 2000 10 PM

Vampires were sighted at Edge Regional Medical Center early this morning and they are out for blood said Shelia Newman, ERMC laboratory manager.

The Community Blood Bank Service of Montgomery will be at

ERMC from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. today and local residents are encouraged to give the gift of blood this Halloween.

To add some fun to the Halloween blood drive, Community Blood Bank Service will send "vampires" to collect the blood.

"Those collecting the blood will be dressed as vampires and the bus will be decorated for Halloween," Newman said. "It should be an interesting blood drive."

All Halloween blood donors will have an opportunity to have a total cholesterol screening and will receive a Community Blood Service tee shirt. Donors will also be eligible to register for drawing for a $25 Wal-Mart gift certificate.

Newman said in order to be a blood donor, one must be in good health, at least 17 years old and weigh at least 103 pounds.

"Those who do not meet these eligibility requirements may be rejected," she said.

Newman said a picture identification is required of all donors.

"Certain medications can also affect the use of a unit of blood, so we ask those who are on prescription medication to bring their medicine with them," she said.

Edge Regional Medical Center utilizes the Community Blood Bank Service as well as the American Red Cross for its blood supply.

"The blood we get from the Community Blood Bank Service comes from Montgomery," she said. "Most of the blood we get from Red Cross comes from Mobile, so we are utilizing the Community Bank more because we can get blood much faster through them."

Newman said she would like to encourage all eligible residents to make a donation to the blood drive this Halloween. "We need all of the support we can get and we thank everyone who takes the time to give this special gift."

Even though there is not a shortage of blood right now, blood is always needed to prevent such dire circumstances, Newman said.

"At Edge, we use from 600 to 700 unit of blood annually. And, until recently, there was a shortage of all types of blood, especially O+. Because people responded to the need, blood is not in short supply – but you never know what circumstances could put us in that position again."

Newman said the majority of the blood collected in Pike County is used in Pike County.

"If we have more blood than we need, it is referred back to the Community Blood Bank Service and another hospital can utilize it as needed."