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J durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN > August 2, 2006 ♦ Page A7 A Clarington Community • MKTKG 1! TIT' ~ _ t M an unie «me to ra I * ■ w V v 13 BROTHERS B v f/TTrUS .9* rftftf A weekly look at the communities that shape Clarington heroes 'drop' in to help Ron Pietroniro/Metroland Durham Region Media Group Tyson Egert was the first person in line for the Canadian Blood Services blood donor clinic at the Rickard Recreation Complex on July 26. Attending to Mr. Egert was R.N. Tonia Nisbett. Blood donors help clinic hit 80 per cent of its goal BY JULIE CASHIN-OSTER Special to The Statesman BOWMANVILLE - How many limes do you hear yourself or others say, "I would love to volunteer but I just don't have the time?" Could you find,, one hour every 56 days? That is all it takes to donate blood - one hour. You are volunteering your lime to give a very special gift. With the summer months comes a greater urgency for blood donations. Many people are on holidays, there is increased traffic resulting in more accidents which translates into a greater need for blood in hospitals. "During the summer collections are down. Jt's hot, people don't feel like donating, people are on holidays," said Margo Manning, clinic supervisor at the recent Blood Donor Clinic at Rickard Areqa Sports Complex. ^ Last year at this time the blood donor clinic at Rickard collected 131 units of blood with a goal of 145. This year their goal was 174 units and they collected 148 -- reaching 80 per cent of their target. Not everyone who visits the clinic is accepted. About 30 per cent can't donate. The clinic last Wednesday actually screened 179 people. "People are deferred for many reasons," said Ms. Manning! "Their iron is not high enough; they have travelled out of the' country recently, are on medication or have had a tattoo or body piercing in the last six months." One unit of whole blood equals approximately approximately one pint. One-hundred-forty-eight units doesn't seem that much. But one unit of blood can actually help three different different people. "Blood is broken down into plasma, platelets and red blood cells," Ms. Manning Manning said. Essentially the one unit, of blood you donate could help a person with leukemia, a trauma victim or could be used for burn therapy. Blood that is collected by Canadian Blood Services stays in Canada. Blood is shared province to province; except for Quebec (which has its own provincial regulations). "All blood types are needed; however 0+ is the rarest blood type therefore the most needed. 0- is the universal blood type, it's the back-up blood anyone can receive. It is also most needed." It has been 20 some odd years since I donated blood. After 30 minutes at the . clinic ! felt rather embarrassed that it. had been so long. So I waltzed up to the registration table and began the process. It wasn't a surprise that I was no longer in the system. After registering I was directed to a very kind/nursewho pricked my finger , and dropped blood into a clear solution. "This is to lest your hemoglobin (iron), if it floats to the bottom you have enough and can donate." And if it doesn't, another test is done to get an actual number count. Mine sank so I was good to go. 1 Next ! was given a questionnaire. Half of it I filled out, the other half a nurse filled out. The questions for the donor to fill out were simple health-related questions questions - fever, cold; on any medication, - that sort of thing. The critical screening questions were asked by a nurse. These questions screened for, among other 1 things, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. The nurse also tested my blood pressure and took my temperature. Everything checked out OK and I was set to go. Now, I have deep veins, which I am very aware of and they can be difficult to find! I have had good experiences and not so good ones. I must say that this was a very good experience: It can take anywhere from two to 15 minutes to retrieve a unit of blood. It just depends on how fa^t it flows. I took about 15. In addition to the unit you donate, blood samples are taken that are tested in Toronto. 'Aside from the slight skin prick, it was very relaxing and after I got juice and cookies. Levity aside, it made me feel good that I just helped three people and made a difference - in one hour. If you are between the ages of 17 - 71 (for a regular donor; 17-61 for a first-time donor) you can donate blood every two months. After 71 you need an annual OK from your doctor. You are encouraged to register before the clinic, to speed up the process and to give Canadian Blood Services an estimate. "We encourage donors to keep coming coming back - our everyday heroes, to keep the blood supply up. We always have an excellent turnout in Bowmanville," said Ms. Manning. The next Blood Donor Clinic at the Rickard Sports Complex is scheduled for Sept. 24 from 1-7:30 p.m. Are you registered? For information call l-SSS-2-Donate (1-888-236-6283). Big Brothers and Sisters invites golfers out 'for kids' sake CLARINGTON - Big Brothers and Sisters of Clarington is inviting golfers of all skill levels out to participate participate in the 10th annual Golf.For Kids' Sake tournament on Friday, Sept. 15 at Newcastle Golf and Country Club. For golfers registering prior to Aug. 15, the'cost is $125. After that, the price is $140. The entrance fee includes an early registration lunch, donated by M&M Meats; 18 holes of golf with a shotgun start at I p.m.; a power cart; team photos; and, a starter package. There will be variety of contests with many prizes to be won. Jeff Stewart of Cowan Pontiac will once again sponsor the Hole In One prizes, which will include a 2007 Buick, a golf trip to the Palm Coast, 36 dozen Nike golfs balls, and a Nike forged titanium titanium driver. As well, Mr. Stewart will sponsor a putting contest, with a potential prize of $5,000. A trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Grant Morris Cruise and Travel, is also up for grabs. Following the day of golf, golfers will travel to Newcastle Community Hall for a roast beef or chicken dinner. Funds raised will go to the agency's volunteer-based mentoring programs. To register a team, sponsor a hole or donate a prize, contact Lisa McNee Baker at 905-623-6646. ^ KRAC O ^ irflifeaa CARPENTRY & CONTRACTING Complete Carpentry Service • Custom Built Homos • Renovations • Additions • Designing William & Rudy Kraayvanger 905-623-1101 ^ MM Reaching Your Goals Freedom 55 Takes Careful Planning Financial That's Why We're Here to Help. • Individual life insurance •Disability insurance •Business Insurance •Travel insurance •RRIFs,LIFs& Annuities •GICs & mutual funds •Group Insurance •Group retirement plans •Mortgages •RRSPs & RESPs QUA PHUS ptindiuti Inmtmtnt Stole « IN. A Mice el the Mm Dwight and Dcria Hickson rtn, mcl.il Security ami Im cslim'iil KopiVNOiit.ilIvcs 5 King Ave,, Newcastle (905)987-5372 to advertise in this feature contact the This Week Inside Sales Team 905-579-4400