Cross Creek Ranch Blood Drives Make Life-Saving Impact

For a sixth straight month, Cross Creek Ranch is hosting a community blood drive — this one slated for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.

The community has been hosting monthly drives since May. Residents have been very supportive — especially last month when 48 units were collected that could help save up to 141 lives.

While Cross Creek Ranch residents have mostly participated, the drive is open to anyone who wants to take advantage of the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center being at the Cross Creek Ranch Community Room. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center needs approximately 1,000 donations a day to serve its 26 counties and more than 170 hospitals and health care institutions. One donation of whole blood can save up to three lives because the donation can be broken into plasma, platelets and red blood cells. Plasma is used in treating burn or shock patients while platelets can help those with leukemia and other cancers. Red blood cells are often necessary to treat those who have had surgery, trauma victims and babies born prematurely.

The center is especially asking for people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate because their convalescent plasma can help others in their recovery.

Anyone age 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) is eligible to donate blood. Those who are ages 16 to 18 must weigh at least 122 pounds and those who are older should weigh at least 110 pounds. Potential donors must be in good general health with no cold or flu symptoms. The center recommends drinking plenty of water and eating a good meal before you donate.

If you would like to participate in the Nov. 15 drive, you can schedule an appointment here. If Nov. 15 isn’t convenient, another drive will be held Friday, Dec. 11.