Blood center opens doors

To celebrate the June 2 opening of The Blood Center of Brazos Valley's Neighborhood Donor Center in College Station, a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a tour of the facility was at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. "We really wanted to create a convenient place for donors to come," said public relations associate Sheena Abraham. The center, on Rock Prairie Road, includes four donor-screening rooms, six collection beds, a large donor relaxation area with fresh-baked cookies and a children's play area, according to giveblood.org.

The mission of the Blood Center of Brazos Valley is to partner with the community to help save and sustain lives by providing a safe supply of blood, blood components and related services.

In 2008 in the Brazos Valley, hospitals needed about 14,000 donations. The College Station Neighborhood Donor Center opens at a good time, because donations typically decline in the summer, according to giveblood.org. Abraham said the opening of the College Station Neighborhood Donor Center, the first blood center in College Station with a permanent location, is a testament to cooperation with local hospitals.

In order to donate blood, a person must be 17, at least 110 pounds and in good health. Commit for Life, the Texas Gulf Coast blood donation program, encourages everyone to donate once every three months. The blood donation process takes one hour. The No. 1 reason a person is not allowed to donate is for a low iron count. Blood from volunteer donors is used to treat patients with trauma, fractures, cancer, burns and heart disease, as well as other ailments.

Kalee Bumguardner, editor in chief

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