Graphic provided by Warsaw Community Public Library.

By Dana McAfee
Event Coordinator
Warsaw Community Public Library

WARSAW — Warsaw Community Public Library is excited to host our first blood drive with the American Red Cross from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16.

Donating blood is a life-saving practice; it also has a few health benefits for donors. Before giving blood, your blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin levels are checked, providing a quick wellness screening.

Who can benefit from your donation? Cancer patients, trauma patients, individuals with sickle cell disease, burn patients and people with chronic illnesses all rely on donated blood. Donating may also benefit you by helping to reduce stress, improving emotional well-being and bringing a sense of purpose from helping others.

If you’re planning to donate, there are a few ways to prepare. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep, drink plenty of water and eat a healthy breakfast or lunch (depending on the time you donate) that includes lean protein. Wear a short-sleeved shirt or one with sleeves that can be rolled up. Donors must be at least 17 years old.

Appointments are required. To schedule, visit redcrossblood.org and enter the code warsawlibrary.

There are some great incentives for the donors. The Red Cross is offering a QR code to redeem a Fandango movie reward. And if you are registered for Summer Reading, your pages for July 16 will be doubled. Just let staff know at the blood drive check-in, and you’ll receive a ticket to take upstairs for your bonus pages.

We would also like to remind our community that Warsaw Community Public Library offers free blood pressure testing at the library with our “Libraries with Heart” program. All you need to do is check in at the Adults Services desk, sign out a monitor, and go to the designated carrel to follow the provided instructions and check your blood pressure. This is a quick, easy and free way to keep an eye on your blood pressure.

We here at the library care very much about our community and are happy to be able to offer many workshops, lectures and opportunities to learn about various issues that can positively impact your health. Visit our website to view the full calendar of upcoming events. We hope to see you at the blood drive on Wednesday, July 16, and throughout the summer.