Sturgis Hospital

Donating blood is a small thing that makes a big difference. Donating blood locally makes an even bigger difference. Every week, about 200 people in St. Joseph County are in need of blood or blood products, according to The Medical Foundation (TMF), the organization that provides blood for patients at Sturgis Hospital. Yet keeping a steady supply of blood can be difficult, as less than 40 percent of the American population is eligible to give blood— and fewer than 10 percent of those eligible actually donate each year. "I can't emphasize enough how important it is to donate blood if you're eligible," says Kitrina Sell, Lab Director at Sturgis Hospital. "The process takes less than an hour, and one unit can save up to three lives." CommUnity SERVICE The Dish on Donating Blood Thinking of donating? Here's what you need to know: Who: Eligible donors must be at least 16 years of age, in good health, and weigh at least 110 pounds. What: The entire process—which includes registration, a health and lifestyle questionnaire, a screening, the actual donation, and a post- donation rest period—takes only about 45 minutes. When: Donors can give blood every 56 days. Where: The Medical Foundation (TMF), a local blood bank, sends a bloodmobile to Sturgis Hospital every 56 days. Other local mobile blood drives can be found by clicking the "Upcoming Blood Drives" banner at www. GiveBloodNow.com. "We're always looking for new donors," says Mary Ankrapp, Blood Donor Recruitment Specialist with TMF. "It's an easy process that helps save lives. We have a wonderful, friendly, and fun staff who does their very best to make the experience as pleasant as possible." High school blood drives provide the blood bank with a significant portion of the blood collected throughout the school year. Participation at a local blood drive gives these young donors a great opportunity to give back to their community. Statistics show that blood donors who start donating at a young age are more likely to become lifelong donors. To help keep blood donations in the community, TMF deploys a bloodmobile to Sturgis Hospital every 56 days—which is how often you can donate a single unit of blood—and to other surrounding areas on a regular basis to make it easier for donors to give. "Blood is only available through donations from healthy people," Sell says. "We encourage every eligible person in our community to donate. Your donations help support your local hospital and save the lives of your community members." ! ! For more information or to find the next donation location, visit www.GiveBloodNow.com. Coming Full Circle It's not only important to donate, but to donate with your local hospital. "Many people give blood because they want to help those in need in their community," says Mary Ankrapp, Blood Donor Recruitment Specialist with TMF. "However, a lot of people are unaware that not donating with an organization that supports their local hospital means their donations may leave the community." "When you donate with TMF, you are supporting your community," Sell adds. "If blood products are obtained from a secondary source, it increases the Hospital's cost." Sturgis High School Junior Dakota Wilson Caring for the Community Fall 2016 Sturgis Hospital 3

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