Published Friday, May 1, 2020

Blood Bank seeks donors


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Blood Bank confirmed that the companies that had scheduled blood donations have canceled the aid, so it calls on the public to help.

Due to the lack of donations, the reserve has been reduced by 75% of normal fundraising.

According to the organization with the goal of increasing reserves, a more open schedule of attention to donors was established.

The Bank will maintain a special schedule for receiving blood of all types:  Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. at 3:20 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. at 4 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This time all blood types are required to attend any eventuality: O +, A + b + ab + O-, B-, A- and AB- The O + blood type is the one that is most necessary because the majority of the population carry one of those blood types.

Blood banks have also taken precautionary orders in response to the pandemic. People who wish to donate must first request an appointment by calling 506-2280-9952 extension 113 or by WhatsApp via text, 506- 8821-6514.

People interested in donating must be in good health and take into account must meet the following requirements:

- If you have had a cold or symptoms such as fever, cough, sneeze, or malaise, you should wait to donate until after 14 days of recovery.

- Present a national identity card or residence card.

- Be between 18 to 65 years.

- Weigh greater than 50 kilos and height greater than 1.50 meters

The day of donating blood, eat a light breakfast of fruits, cookies, bread, jams or jellies, coffee or tea without milk. One should not fast. Also, do not consume fat or dairy.

Approximately 450 milliliters of this vital liquid will be extracted from each donor, which represents about 10% of the volume of blood that each human being possesses. This volume of extracted blood is recovered during the day and therefore the consumption of enough liquids is recommended after each donation. Each person can donate every three months, that is, four times a year.

The blood components are applied in people with health issues as liver diseases, leukemia, among others. The red blood cells are used in transfusions in an emergency, surgeries in patients with anemia and with blood production problems.





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