Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

From December 1999 until early 2020, the Congregation Ohev Shalom Men's Club has sponsored three blood drives a year. Due to restrictions because of Covid-19, no blood drives were held in 2020. Mark Stone, the Blood Drive chairperson for COS since 1999, is pleased to announce that on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9, the blood drives at COS will resume. From 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., the Big Red Bus will be on the parking lot of COS for people wanting to donate blood. COS is located at 613 Concourse Parkway South, in Maitland. All community members, not just members of COS, are welcome to give.

For the safety of everyone involved, the wearing of masks and social distancing will be required. Seating on the Big Red Bus will be limited, so reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, call Stone at 407-788-6488 or email him at mastone827@cfl.rr.com.

All people volunteering to donate will receive a "wellness checkup," which includes a Covid-19 antibody test, a cholesterol screening, and a check of your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and iron count prior to donating. In addition to that mini-physical, the local blood collection organization OneBlood will give a thank you gift to everyone who donates a pint of blood. Also, everyone who donates will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate from the COS Sisterhood Judaica Shop.

"Many people don't realize how important blood donations are," explained Stone. "Here are a few facts that most people are not aware of: In the United States, more than 40,000 pints of blood are needed every day. There is no substitute for human blood, and without lifesaving blood transfusions, about five million American would die each year. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Out of every 100 people qualified to donate blood, only three do. Typically, the blood bank here in Orlando and the blood banks around the country try to keep a two- or three-day supply of blood on hand, which sounds adequate, but it really isn't. The need for blood is constant, but the supply of blood is not. People are allowed to donate blood every eight weeks."

Stone continued, "No one knows when they'll need blood! On any given day, blood is needed by people who are rich and by people who are poor. It's needed by young people and by older people. It doesn't discriminate by what color you are, by your gender, or by what your religious or political beliefs are. You could need blood at any time. It can be needed unexpectedly, and quite often it is. And if YOU ever need blood, it is only available because someone thought it was important enough to be a blood donor. Giving blood is easy! It's getting enough people to donate that is difficult."

Stone finished by saying, "I look forward to hearing from a lot of people who want to save a life. Give me a call or email me to make an appointment."