Rotary Club, Carter BloodCare to host local blood drive on Thursday, Sept. 3
The Rotary Club of Breckenridge and Carter BloodCare will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at Texas State Technical College, 307 N. Breckenridge Ave. Click here to pre-register to donate blood.
Donors will receive a magnetic phone charge while supplies last.
A photo ID will be required to donate.
For more information about the local blood drive, call Sherry or Les Strickland at 254-522-1959 or email lesstrickland23@gmail.com.
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Sickle cell disease — the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States — affects approximately 100,000 Americans, including 7,000 Texans, and 20 million people worldwide. The condition is entirely dependent on genetics, not skin color or race.
Healthy red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible to move easily through the blood vessels. Sickle cell-impacted red blood cells, however, are crescent or sickle shaped; they do not bend or move easily, preventing these cells from circulating properly and supplying oxygen to all parts of the body. This impaired blood flow then leads to life-altering health complications, such as blindness, severe pain, headaches, fatigue, infections, kidney disease, swelling in the extremities, dizziness and strokes.
Blood transfusions are essential in relieving sickle cell symptoms.
Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Rotary Club member Karen Martin is pictured donating blood during a previous Rotary Club’s blood drive. The Rotary and Carter BloodCare will host a blood drive on Thursday, Sept 3. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
