Vian's Guns N Hoses Blood Drive will be held from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the bloodmobile at the Vian Police Department. Potential donors can schedule an appointment by calling Melody Smith with United Blood Services in Fort Smith, Ark., at (479) 651-7168 or Police Chief Danny Hoover at (918) 773-5724, or by logging on the www.UnitedBloodServices.org.
The blood drive in Sallisaw will be Thursday and Friday at the Masonic Lodge at 34 N. Redwood. The blood drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Friday on the bloodmobiles.
Potential donors in Sallisaw can schedule an appointment and lock in a time slot at the blood drive by calling Edna Reves at (918) 774-0240 or by logging on to www.UnitedBloodServices.org.
Melody Smith with United Blood Services in Fort Smith, Ark., said, "The Guns and Hoses drive is a friendly competition between the local law enforcements and the local fire departments to see which department can bring in the most units of life saving blood. Blood Donors can choose which one they want to represent with their donation.
"It is important to come together as a community to help one another," Smith said. "Please take a few minutes to help save lives. We need you. Donate and receive a free specially designed Guns and Hoses t-shirt."
Blood donors will also earn a change to win a 2008 Nissan Versa which will be given away Sept. 2.
"We're hoping to see many familiar faces as well as people who have donated in the past and were turned away the last time for one reason or another," Smith said.
She explained that the rules on blood donation have changed. Where there once was a yearlong deferral for a tattoo, that rule no longer applies.
Smith said, "Now if you've recently gotten a tattoo, in most cases you can donate blood right away. We'll do a health history and mini-physical to make sure it's O.K. for you to give."
Blood donated at the upcoming blood drive will help save the lives of patients in 28 local hospitals throughout the area.
Blood donors must be 17 years or older and in good health. People who have given at least three times-with one of those donations in the past six months-are eligible for a streamlined health interview with fewer questions before their donation. Donors are asked to bring a photo ID and Donor Card every time they donate. First-time donors receive a Donor Card with their blood type in the mail shortly after their first donation. And United Blood Services provides a free cholesterol test on all donations.
