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07/31/2008 08:30 AM

 

Area Grocer Offered Blood Drive July 31, 2008 ECO Staff -- Eric Johnson, student journalist On July 30th between 12 P.M. and 5 P.M., customers visiting Loccisanos or residents driving by the local grocery store may have noticed something unusual in the parking lot. A large coach bus was parked on the side of the Loccisanos with a gentleman named Todd Jordan standing outside. This bus was the Central Blood Bank bus. Jordan’s job was to stand outside and talk to people about donating blood and to recruit the braver citizens of Ellwood to donate blood. Jordan had recruited about 15 participants by mid-afternoon. In accepting the offer, a participant would step onto the bus and provide personal information including some type of identification. Next, they would take you in a room and prick your finger with a nearly invisible needle to check iron levels. Then, they check your temperature and blood pressure. If you pass the tests you are laid down and a pint of blood is drawn, which roughly takes 10 minutes. For health reasons, participants are given food and juice to prevent passing out. Talking to Jordan, he informs us that the next blood drive given is in September at Lincoln High School. Each school around the county has to have 3 blood drives a year. The schools compete for the Blood Drive Scholarship. The winner of the schools is decided upon which donated the most. The scholarships range from $250.00 to $4,000.00. Central Blood Bank is located in Greentree, Pittsburgh and they cover 95% blood drives between Pittsburgh and Erie. After donating blood, participants were thanked by receiving a Blood Bank t-shirt and a ticket to Kennywood. (Eric Johnson can be reached at ericjohnson@ellwoodcity.org)