Blood drives have been scheduled for April 23 to 25 at King Kekaulike High School and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kahului Stake.
The Blood Bank of Hawaii schedule follows:
* April 23, King Kekaulike High School Gym, 9 a.m to 4 p.m.; enter through Haleakala Highway gate. For more information, call Student Services Coordinator Janina Kennedy at 573-8710.
* April 24, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kahului Stake gym, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
* April 25, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kahului Stake gym, 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
To be a donor, a person must:
* Be in good health.
* Be 18 years of age or older (17 with signed Blood Bank parent/legal guardian consent form).
* Weigh 110 pounds or more.
* Bring a valid photo ID with date of birth.
* Not have had tattoos or piercings in the past 12 months.
The donation process is safe and usually takes about an hour. A confidential interview and a mini-physical are administered, but the actual collection of blood takes only five to eight minutes.
Every day in Hawaii, hundreds of patients count on volunteer blood donors for their survival. Typical uses for the donated blood include surgical procedures, treatment of accident victims and chemotherapy for cancer patients and mothers and newborns during delivery.
Because each donation is separated into three different components - red blood cells, platelets and plasma - a single donation can help save the lives of up to three people.
In Hawaii, only 2 percent of the eligible population donates blood. More donors are always needed, the Blood Bank of Hawaii news release said.
To make an appointment or for more information, go the Blood Bank website at www.BBH.org or call toll free at (800) 372-9966.
