Brownsville, Texas, January 19, 2017 - Donating blood is easy, it’s informative, and most of all, saves lives. The purpose of blood drives is to serve many patients in the local hospitals. If you’ve ever wondered who benefits from blood donations, here’s some tidbits of information:
- Red cells can be used for 42 days after they are donated. They are used in the treatment of accident victims, to replace blood lost during surgery, to treat burn victims and to increase the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. They are also used in the treatment of anemia that can’t be medically corrected.
- Platelets are stored separate from other components and must be used in the five days following the donation. They are commonly used to treat bone marrow failure, leukemia and cancer patients, low platelet count or other conditions causing abnormally functioning platelets.
- Plasma has a much longer shelf life and is often frozen for later use. Once thawed, plasma is used during cardiac surgery, for burn victims, and to treat bleeding disorders. For example, bleeding disorders can occur in liver failure, when too much of a blood thinner has been given or when severe bleeding and massive transfusions result in low levels of clotting factors.
This year’s blood drives at Valley Regional Medical Center offer an extra “thank you” to all donors, a free, 10-minute chair massage by the Salon and Spa Institute. Special thanks to Salon and Spa Institute for supporting our blood drives in 2017.
All donors receive a free total cholesterol test with every blood donation and have their blood pressure, pulse temperature and hemoglobin checked. Encourage each other to donate blood during our blood drives throughout the year. Our community needs us. Be a Hero!
Get Scheduled to Donate by Emailing Mariana Tumlinson
- Thursday, January 19th
- Tuesday, March 21st
- Tuesday, May 16th
- Tuesday, July 18th
- Tuesday, September 19th
- Tuesday, November 14th
About Valley Regional Medical Center
Valley Regional Medical Center is conveniently located at the corner of Expressway 77 and Alton Gloor Boulevard in Brownsville. With physicians representing over 25 specialties, Valley Regional Medical Center is a leader in a vast array of high quality programs, including advanced diagnostic imaging, interventional cardiac catheterization, open heart surgery, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, women’s services, pediatric services and neonatal intensive care. Valley Regional Medical is a nationally accredited Advanced Primary Stroke Center and our Emergency Department is designated as an Advanced Level III Trauma Center treating a wide range of emergent needs 24 hours a day. For more information on Valley Regional Medical Center’s programs and services, visit our website at Valley Regional Medical Center.
About HCA Gulf Coast Division
HCA Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers, and diagnostic imaging facilities. It offers a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the needs of Greater Houston and South Texas’ residents and businesses. HCA affiliated facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 13 hospitals, 8 ambulatory centers, 6 off-campus emergency centers, and a regional transfer center that provides one-phone-call access and support for patient transfers into and out of the HCA Gulf Coast Division Affiliated Hospitals, as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. For more information, visit our website at HCA Gulf Coast.