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By Toni Meeks

Donor Recruiter

American Red Cross

(American Legion Post 182 is sponsoring the American Red Cross Blood Drive at Tyrrell Hall from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28).

Donated blood is a lifesaving gift most healthy people can give. But even healthy people are sometimes temporarily deferred from donating due to low hemoglobin, which is often caused by low blood iron levels.

Tyrrell County residents, including those who have been temporarily deferred in the past due to low iron levels, are encouraged to attempt to donate blood on Monday, September 28, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Tyrrell Hall on U.S. 64 East in Columbia.

While a well-balanced diet is generally adequate to have normal iron levels, donors should eat extra iron-rich foods like fish, poultry, red meat, beans, peas, lentils, iron-fortified cereals, bread and dried fruit in the days prior to their donation appointments.

Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwi, strawberries, peppers, potatoes and cabbage, can increase iron absorption.

Iron supplements should be taken only after consulting with a personal healthcare provider or pharmacist. Donors can learn more at redcrossblood.org/iron.

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Completion of a RapidPass® online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

You can hold the power to save lives in the palm of your hand with the FREE Red Cross Blood Donor App! Text “BLOODAPP” to 90999 or download it from the App StoreSM or the Google PlayTM store today!