Blood drive brings out numerous donors

Blood donations are critical to maintaining an adequate supply for hospitals. This man took part in the recent Red Cross blood drive at Sparta Civic Center.

The Red Cross. On June 13, from noon to 5 p.m., the center was buzzing, busy with regulars and first-time donors alike.

The blood drives the Red Cross host are typically two months apart, since there is a 56 day wait before it is recommended a donor can donate blood again. Typically taking place on the first or second Thursday of the month, the previous blood drive was in April. The next drive will be in August. The blood drives are almost always done during the even numbered months of the year.

Most of the donors present during this month’s drive said they have been long-time doners. One said she has been actively giving for a few years, and another said he has been a donor on and off since he was a young man.

There are two kinds of donations that a donor can give at these events. There is the typical donation, which is a single pint. This is the donation where one must wait 56 days before donating again. There is also a longer process that donors can undergo which result in two pints donated. For two pints, there is a 112-day wait before one can donate again, double the normal wait for double the donation.