Trinity UMC planning blood drive

KENDALLVILLE — Donors are needed to register for an American Red Cross Blood Drive to be held Friday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Trinity Church United Methodist, 229 S. State St.

Donors will receive a $10 gift card by email and be entered for a chance to win a $5,000 prize. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 800-773-2767 (800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and the code: tumckend.

The American Red Cross is working around the clock to meet the blood needs for patients and hospitals. The Red Cross is reporting a 25% decrease in the national blood supply since August.

Donors must be in good health and feeling well, and weigh at least 110 pound. Donors may give blood every 56 days, up to six times a year.

Donation types are whole blood, Power Red, and platelets.

Whole blood is the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets. Every day, whole blood donations help save the lives of children and adults fighting to survive cancer, blood disorders, traumatic injuries and more.

Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow the donor to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning plasma and platelets to the donor. Donors with type O, A negative or B negative can be Power Red donors.

Platelets donations are only done at select American Red Cross donation centers and are by appointment. Platelets are tiny cells in the blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets. Platelets must be used within five days and new donors are needed every day.

For complete information about blood donation, go to RedCrossBlood.org,