San Juan Regional Medical Center will host a two-day blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.
Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services) will have two bloodmobile units on-site in the hospital’s main parking lot at 801 W. Maple St., Farmington.
Appointments are recommended to help maintain social distancing. Donors may schedule appointments online at www.bloodhero.com and enter sponsor code SJRMC, or by calling or texting Kristan at (505) 686-9777.
Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible. Vitalant will not test for COVID-19, but donors will be screened for symptoms and potential exposure to keep everyone safe.
General requirements for blood donations are:
Donor must be at least 16 (under 18 requires signed permission of parent or guardian).Donor must weigh at least 110 pounds.Donor must be in general good health.Donor must bring identification.Donor should not be under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs at time of donation.Donors should drink plenty of water 24 to 48 hours beforehand and 8 to 16 ounces an hour before the appointment. Donors should also eat a healthy, low fat meal about two hours before the donation.
The donation process takes about an hour, from the time a donor arrives until they leave, although the actual donation itself lasts only about 10 minutes.
