Donate blood at Childress’s next drive and help CISD
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Be a lifesaver by donating blood at the Kid’s, Inc. Blood Drive from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the City Auditorium in Fair Park. It could benefit CISD too.
By Whitney Wyatt
CHILDRESS – Donors will get to help save lives and help Childress Independent School District win money at the next blood drive in Childress.
Coffee Memorial Blood Center will host the annual Kid’s, Inc. Blood Drive from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the City Auditorium in Fair Park. Volunteer Sue Henderson said donors will have the opportunity to vote on the school of their choice.
Winning schools will receive a cash prize for educational materials. Henderson said $2,000 will go to the winning high school, $1,500 for the top vote receiving middle school and $1,000 for the top elementary school in each division. For Childress, it’s 3A.
“There is a high possibility that Childress schools could win one of the 3A cash prizes,” she said.
On top of that, if seniors in high school donate blood, they are eligible to win a $1,000 scholarship. Henderson said four scholarships will be given throughout blood drives in the Panhandle.
Aaron Sims is providing the scholarships in memory of his wife, Brittany Fly-Sims. Other prizes will be given by Kid’s Inc., Education Credit Union, Cross Pointe Auto, Sonic and Dr. Pepper of Amarillo, Henderson said.
“Come register to donate blood, vote for your school and help save the lives of others,” Henderson said. Donors will also receive a Kid’s Inc. T-shirt and a bowling pass.
Henderson encourages people to give blood if they are feeling well and are not taking an antibiotic or blood thinner. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and must present a photo ID. Anyone under the age of 17 must have a parental consent form signed.
Previous donors can complete a Donor Express form online on the day of the drive by visiting www.thegiftoflife.org. The form must be printed or available on the donor’s phone in order to be accepted by the blood drive.
Interested donors can make an appointment by calling 806-331-8833 or visiting yourbloodinstitute.org. Walk-in donors are always welcome, but Henderson said they may experience a longer wait.
The entire process should take about an hour. Social distancing and restrictions on occupancy will be in place, and every donor will be required to wear a mask. Henderson said every surface will be sanitized between donors. Each unit of blood will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies, and test results will be available post-donation to each individual.
Eating a good meal before a blood donation and drinking plenty of water before and after will make a more pleasant experience. If a donor has recently received the COVID-19 vaccine, Henderson wants people to know it will not interfere with a donation of blood.
“Please consider making a difference in someone’s life by giving a unit of blood,” she said. “Coffee Memorial supplies the blood needs for the hospitals in the entire Panhandle region, and each unit can save up to three lives. Give the gift of life on Feb. 23.”
