The Blood Drive hosted by Baylor Scott & White Health on July 18th went on as scheduled even though it was a very hot, 109° day. It was held at San Saba's First Baptist Church on Wallace Street, and a total of 27 units were donated.
The check-in table is usually under the beautiful pecan trees on the west side of the church by the Blood Donor bus. However, the check-in table, and those working the outside part of the Blood Drive, were stationed just inside the church doors due to the extreme heat.
Even though it was a scorcher, that didn't keep donors away. There were 45 time slots. There were 28 who preregistered, and that number was a little down from usual numbers. This time of year, many are on vacation, and the outside temperature may have also effected the numbers. In April, there were 45 registered with 35 units of blood being donated.
When you first arrive to donate blood, you go to the check-in table. Those manning the table make sure they have all your information in the system. During this step, they may find out some information that could prevent you from donating - such as being on various medications, being ill or recently exposed to illnesses, or being on 'active deferral.' (Active Deferral means you were flagged in their system at some time in the past possibly because of a certain mediation were taking. If you are no longer on that medication, there are steps you can take to get the 'active deferral' flag taken off your name.)
There is also a medical history questionnaire you must answer every time you go to donate blood.
Even though you fill out the paperwork, including the medical history questionnaire, you are still interviewed once you go into the Blood Donor bus. They take every precaution to make sure it is safe for you to donate blood - safe for you AND for the recipient of your blood donation.
When you are finished at the check-in table, you go in the Blood Donor bus. There are five medical personnel on the bus. Besides doing a personal interview with you, they will prick your finger to check your iron. They will take your blood pressure. They will take your temperature. (You can't have a fever or high blood pressure to donate blood.) All this is done to make sure all is well for you to donate blood. As long as there are still no red flags, they will then take your blood.
At the end of that very hot, July day, there was a total of 36 who had registered to donate blood. Five of them were unable to participate. This can happen for various reasons such as being on certain antibiotics or meds, being in isolation due to Covid or other illness exposure, for example. Four people came in, but medical reasons prevented them from participating. Most of these are because their iron levels are too low.
The next Baylor Scott & White Health Blood Drive will be held October 3rd. They request that anyone wishing to donate blood make an appointment at www.BSWBlood.com.
A Special Note from Marsha Hardy: San Saba County donated 27 units of blood!!! Thank you very much!
Marsha Hardy, San Saba Emergency Management Coordinator, and others working the Blood Drive graciously answered questions and gave information provided in this article.