OUR NEXT GARCO BLOOD DRIVE IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 7:45-10:45AM
Blood donations are needed now more than ever. Sign up today to secure your donation time. (Sign up online here)
Fun fact: our August Blood drive had 20 donations, including one new first-time donor. These donations saved up to 60 lives!
MORE ABOUT BLOOD DONATIONS
Did you know that someone needs blood every two seconds? According to the Red Cross, one blood donation can help save the lives of three people. Donating blood is an easy and important way to give back to your community! In the current coronavirus pandemic, blood donations are needed now more than ever as medical facilities are facing an urgent shortage. All those who are healthy and able should consider donating at this critical time.
Over the last 10 years, Garco has had 559 successful donations, with 620 total units including plasma. That impacts the lives of more than 1,800 people.
Our blood drives are coordinated and collected by Vitalant, which serves more than 20 Inland Northwest medical facilities. No matter your blood type, donations are important. However, people with O negative type blood are universal donors and their blood can be given to people of all blood types. In fact, type O negative blood is often used in emergencies before the patient’s blood type is known, and with newborns who need blood. Fun fact: the average adult has 10 pints of blood in their body, accounting for about 10% of their body weight.
There are a few general things to remember for donating blood (a full list is available from Vitalant):
- Be in general good health, including free of any cold or flu virus symptoms
- In Washington state, tattoos are acceptable if the tattoo was applied in a state-regulated shop, using sterile needles and single-use ink, within in the last 12 months
- Ear/body piercing/branding is acceptable if the piercing or branding was performed using single-use equipment (otherwise, you’ll need to wait 12 months before donating)
- Wait one day following the completion of last dose of antibiotics
It can be hard to fully grasp the life-saving benefits since people don’t always know how or when their blood gets used, which is why Vitalant loves being able to share stories from those who receive donations like David in the video above.
Garco President Clancy Welsh notes, “We are proud of the commitment our employees have made over the years in supporting Vitalant. I personally enjoy receiving a text notifying me that my donation has been utilized to help another. This is just one way our team at Garco can support our community.”
We encourage all our staff who are healthy and able to donate to consider participating in our next blood drive! Your donation matters.
Garco Construction Blood Drive
Monday, September 26 | 7:45-10:45am at the Garco Office
We are hoping for more 10 or more life-saving donors to participate!
Sign up online here
(We also welcome Garco staff friends or family to come participate in our blood drive as well. They just need to sign up using the link like the rest of the staff.)
