WHIZ Partners With American Red Cross For Blood Drive

WHIZ partnered with the American Red Cross Monday for a blood drive.

The event took place from 10AM to 4PM at Secrest Auditorium. If you have never given blood before, you do not have to know your blood type prior to donating. We asked Richard Dayton of the American Red Cross Blood Donor Services to share with us a little bit more about blood typing.

"O negative is the universal donor. That’s the one that they can put in anyone because it has no impact. You don’t have to have a blood match. O negative is needed. That’s what they keep in emergency rooms, hospitals for trauma and things like that."

Giving blood is a very simple process. Dayton says from the time you walk in the door and leave, takes about 45 minutes. He also encouraged to not fear the needle, as stubbing your toe hurts worse than the prick. Dayton told us, donating blood gives others a fighting chance.

"It’s the gift of life as we say, particularly during the holiday season when basically people in hospitals need blood, people who are being treated for cancer need blood products so it is a very vital resource and only about 4 percent of the population donates blood."

Dayton told us they were hoping for 40 units of blood. If you missed Monday’s event and would like to donate blood yourself, all you have to do is visit the Red Cross website: www.redcross.org