The Center is an independent, not-for-profit organization, responsible for the daily blood and blood product needs of 24 local hospitals within its 15-county service area in Ohio’s Miami Valley and Indiana’s Whitewater Valley.
CBC operates five blood centers, including the Dayton headquarters and four branches in Springfield, Middletown, West Chester and Richmond, Ind.
Dr. David Smith, chief executive officer of the organization, has said his group gives donors the extraordinary opportunity to save and enhance lives through trusted community-based resources for transfusion and transplantation.
If you’ve considered donating your blood, be assured it’s an easy and safe procedure.
“Put your fears at ease, the staff are caring and gentle and they strive to make donors comfortable,” says Rochelle Goldstein of Clayton, who volunteers at the Blood Center Donor Cafe and has given almost 50 pints of her own blood.
HERE’S WHAT YOU DO
The downtown Dayton Center is open six days a week, and the branches are on a five-day schedule. Hours in Dayton are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For branch hours, see www.givingblood.org
You can make an appointment in advance at www.DonorTime.com or call (800) 388-GIVE (4483). You can also drop-in at the Center, 349 S. Main St., Dayton. Parking is on site and free. You’ll need to bring along a photo ID.
After signing in and answering some questions about your general health, you will be screened by a trained technician who will take a drop of your blood to check your iron level.
“Don’t assume you can’t give blood because you’ve been on certain medications or have had an illness,” says
Mark Pompilio, public relations and marketing associate for CBC. “It’s worth checking out, you may still be eligible.”
Once you’ve been screened, the process itself takes about 10 minutes. You’ll be in a relaxing position in a large room with other donors. You can chat, watch TV or read.
“It’s a needle, so you will feel it, but if you’ve had blood drawn, it’s a very similar experience,” Pompilio said.
After you are finished, you’re encouraged to stay for about 10 minutes in the Donor Cafe, where volunteers like Goldstein will serve you cookies and juices and other hydrating liquids.
Donors ages 17 and up are welcome, 16-year-olds will require written parental consent. There is no upper age limit, assuming you are in good health.
The blood center is always in need of volunteers — some to act as Donor Cafe assistants and Goodwill Ambassadors and some to drive blood and blood products to hospitals and other locations.
If you have magazines, children’s books, or small games you’d like to donate, they’d be welcome.
To find our more visit www.givingblood.org or call 1-800-388-GIVE.
