Upcoming blood drive in Yuma can help save lives

Stephanie A. Wilken

Jun. 7, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- When George Soderberg was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer in March, a blood transfusion helped save his life.

Soderberg, who lives in Yuma with his wife, Jacque, also had a heart attack, and doctors told him his stomach had been bleeding for a while -- enough for him to need six pints of blood.

After 10 days in the hospital, Soderberg was able to return home and today is recovered.

Next week, Yumans will have the opportunity to save more lives by donating blood at a blood drive Wednesday.

The drive, hosted by United Blood Services and sponsored by El Dorado Broadcasting, the Yuma Scorpions, KYMA and the Yuma Sun, is Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southgate Mall.

Bryan Greene, donor recruitment representative with UBS (NYSE:UBS) , said every donor can save three lives, and donating is extremely important.

"As much progress as we've made as a civilization, we don't have a good substitute for human blood. We have alternative sources for energy, but when it comes to saving a life, it's the simplicity of one person bleeding for another to save a life."

For Soderberg, someone else's generosity changed his life. "I might not have made it if the blood wasn't there."

Greene said in the past, Yuma has been a very giving community, and last month UBS exceeded its goal in Yuma.

Still, only 3 percent of the population who are able to donate blood actually do it.

He said Yuma lags behind the national average of 5 percent.

The solution: education, Greene said. He said they plan to help educate the public on donating in hopes of increase the amount of blood collected in the area.

The criteria for giving are easy. If someone is at least 110 pounds, 16 years old and in good health, Greene said, the person could be a candidate to donate.

The process is also safe, he said. They have very strict requirements governed by the Food and Drug Administration and test for more than 30 human viruses, he said.

"A foremost concern of any blood bank is the blood that's put on the hospital's shelves is safe, pure and has integrity," Greene said. "There is no margin for error when it comes to sourcing the blood and making sure the hospitals have what they need."

For more information, visit www.unitedblood servicesaz.org.

Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached

at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.

Newstex ID: 35575262