Poland library donates space for blood drive

Photo by: Shaiyla Hakeem

Photo

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.Poland resident Jeanette Kulifay reads the daily paper as she waits to begin her donation process. She donates whole blood every two months.

Photo by: Shaiyla Hakeem

Photo

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.Volunteer worker Gene Buser (left) and Team Supervisor Ronald Myles work together to make collection bags for the donors. Buser tries to work at one or more blood drives a day.

The Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County sponsored a blood drive April 14 to help the American Red Cross recruit eligible donors.

Team supervisor Ronald Myles says the Red Cross, Northern Ohio Region, services 59 hospitals hin 19 counties. There isn’t a specific blood type that is needed the most due to inconsistency in hospital needs.

“What is needed each day depends on hospital needs,” Myles said.

When donating whole blood, there is a 56-day waiting period before the next donation. Criteria for donating, for those 18 and older, includes being at least 110 pounds and no open wounds or active infections and illnesses.

Myles said individuals with tattoos are also suitable donors.

“Tattoos don’t matter, as long as it is healed,” he said.

Poland residents came out to support the blood drive. Many were just getting off work, but still stopped in to donate.

“I try to donate every couple months,” said Poland’s Jeannie Grant. “Wherever I see somewhere close by, I donate!”

When donating red blood cells, the time increment needed between donations increases. Paul Petruska, of Canfield, has been donating red cells for five years. He can’t donate every two months, but he makes sure that he finds a blood drive once he is eligible to donate again.

“I come every 112 days; this was the nearest place,” Petruska said.

Poland Library will sponsor another Red Cross blood drive June 9 from 1 p.m to 7 p.m.