To help boost supplies at the Providence Holy Cross blood banks – which serve many Santa Clarita Valley residents – KHTS is sponsoring a blood drive on Monday, Feb. 27, in front of Bowman High School on Centre Pointe Parkway.

Hours for the blood drive are 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. and appointments can be made by calling (661) 298-1220 and asking for Connie.

The Providence Holy Cross Bloodmobile will be parked in front of the school, which is across the street from the offices of the William S. Hart High School District and near the Child and Family Center. Walk-ups are always welcome.

Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.

Blood donation takes four steps: medical history, quick physical, donation and snacks. The actual blood donation takes 5 to 10 minutes. The entire process, from when you sign in to the time you leave, takes about 45 minutes to one hour.

Some information to underscore the importance of donating blood:

* Blood makes up about 7 percent of your body’s weight.

* Just one pint of blood can help save the lives of several people.

* Platelets help blood to clot and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live.

* There is no substitute for human blood.

* Much of today’s medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.

* Volunteers provide nearly all of the nation’s blood supply for transfusion.

* Every three seconds someone needs blood.

* Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each day in the United States.

* Shortages of all types of blood often occur during the summer and winter holidays.

* 37% of the population of the United States is eligible to donate, yet only 5 percent nationally do so. This drops to 3 percent in Southern California.

* If all blood donors gave at least twice a year, it would greatly strengthen the nation’s blood supply.

* You cannot get AIDS or any other blood disease by donating blood.

* A heart surgery uses an average of six pints of red blood cells and six pints of platelets.

* The average liver transplant patient needs 40 pints of red blood cells, 30 pints of platelets, 20 bags of cryoprecipitate, and 25 pints of fresh frozen plasma.

* The average bone marrow transplant requires 120 pints of platelets and about 20 pints of red blood cells.

* If you began donating blood at the age of 17 and donated every 56 days until you reached the age of 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood.

* One out of every 10 patients entering a hospital needs blood.

And if you still have questions – more information…

Blood Donation Guidelines

* Age: 17 years of age and in good health. 16 years of age with parental consent form. There is no upper age limit.

* Weight: Minimum of 110 lb.

* ID: Picture ID required at time of donation.

* Medications: Must have completed antibiotics 3 days prior to giving blood. OK to donate if taking aspirin, antihistamines, birth control pills, most blood pressure medications and vitamins.

* Eating: We suggest you eat a meal before your blood donation.

* Drinking: Drink plenty of water or juice several hours before AND after your donation.

* Strenuous Activity: Should be avoided for 12 – 24 hours after donating blood. Individuals with a hazardous or strenuous job should donate at the end of their work shift.

* Diabetes: OK to donate if controlled by diet or oral medication. If Insulin dependant, must be stable.

* Asthma: Acceptable if asymptomatic and on normal medications (including bronchodilators) for management. Symptomatic asthma, or requiring oral steroids for management is not acceptable.

* Epilepsy: More than one seizure in the past 6 months, or multiple seizures are not acceptable to donate blood. If controlled with medication, and there has been no more than one seizure in the past 6 months, ok to donate.

* Cancer: Cured local skin cancer (simple basal cell or squamous cell), as well as Cervical cancer in situ is acceptable. Most other forms of cancer are acceptable 5 years after being treated and released by your primary physician.

* Mitral Valve Prolapse: Ok to donate if asymptomatic, no arrhythmias, and no limitations of activities.

Temporary Deferral

* Colds and Flu: Must be in good health and feeling well on the day of donation.

* Dental Work: OK to donate 72 hours after a minor surgical procedure, 24 hours after a cleaning.

* Allergy Shots: OK to donate.

* Other Shots: No shots for measles or mumps in the last 2 weeks; rubella in the last 4 weeks; HPV in the past 72 hours.

* Small Pox: OK to donate 3 weeks after vaccination or contact with someone who has, and no complications.

* Needle Sticks: None in the past year.

* Pregnancy: OK to donate 6 weeks after routine delivery, C-section or termination. It is ok to donate while breastfeeding.

* Acupuncture: OK to donate after 2 weeks and only if performed with sterile, disposable, single-use needles, in a doctor’s office.

* Blood Donation: You may donate whole blood every 56 days.

* Tattoo / Skin Branding / Permanent Make-up applied: None in the past year.

* Ear and Body Piercing: Acceptable after 2 weeks and only if sterile, single use needle or equipment was used. 12 month deferral if any other method was used.

* Blood Transfusions: None in the past year, including your own (autologous).

* Malaria: Those who have lived in an endemic area for one year or more must have left the endemic area at least 3 years to qualify as a blood donor. Travel to a malaria zone is a 12 month deferral from date of departure from the endemic area.

* Medications: Acutane, Proscar and Propecia – OK to donate 30 days after last dosage. Avodart – OK to donate 6 months after last dose.

Permanent Deferral

* HIV infection with or without symptoms of AIDS

* Any form of Hepatitis after age 11

* Men who have had sex with another man (even once) since 1977

* Any lymphoma, leukemia, or melanoma

* Medication: Tegison, heart-regulating medications, current or on-going anti-coagulant therapy (i.e. Coumadin, etc.), long-term steroid therapy, Bovine (beef) insulin

* Travel to or residing in the UK for 3 months or more between 1980 – 1996.

* Travel to or residing in Europe for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present.

* Autoimmune Disorders, including: Crohn’s disease, Lupus, MS, Rheumatoid arthritis

Call the Providence Blood Donor Center at 1-800-469-9555 if you have any questions about your eligibility to donate.