First United Methodist to host blood drive
In the News
The Community Blood Center will conduct a blood drive from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church of Maryville, located at 102 N. Main St.
CBC is the sole-source supplier of blood and blood products to 70 medical institutions throughout western Missouri and eastern Kansas, including SSM Health St. Francis Hospital.
Center officials say that donation levels are down, and that more donors are needed in order to meet demand.
Currently CBC provides nearly 3,600 units of blood components each week in order to meet patient needs, many of them critical.
Supplying area hospitals with an adequate blood supply, according to center statistics, requires donations from nearly 600 people each day.
The demand is continuous because blood products have a limited shelf life. Red blood cells last only 42 days, and platelets last only 5 days. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to one year.
“When individuals normally think of essential community services, they think about the fire and police departments,” said CBC Executive Director David Graham. “Community Blood Center and its donors are very similar to police and firefighters. We make up a lifesaving team that is there to meet the needs of local patients. Our volunteers roll up their sleeves and do so without hesitation.”
To make an appointment for Tuesday’s collection drive at FUMC, go to savealifenow.org, click the “schedule and appointment” icon, and enter the sponsor code maryvillecomm. Anyone with questions can call Evie Church at 660.582.2671.
