Rotarians Invited to Give the Gift of Life

The Utah Rotary District Conference in St. George will be an opportunity to advance the Object of Rotary through fellowship, inspirational addresses, and the discussion of matters of importance to Rotary clubs and Rotary International. May 13-15, 2010 will also showcase Rotary programs and successful district and club activities . . . and Rotarians throughout the state of Utah will have the chance to give "service above self" when they are invited to roll up their sleeve and give blood at a time of the year when the need is escalating because of travel and activities which increase the risk for accidents during holidays and summer months.

Do you know:
* Only 5 percent of eligible donors across the nation donate blood, but the number of transfusions nationwide increases by 9 percent every year.
* Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

To give blood, you must meet the following criteria:

- Be in generally good health and feeling well.

- Be at least 17 years of age

- Weigh at least 110 pounds

- Pulse: 80 to 100 beats/min and regular

- Your temperature should not exceed 99.5 (37.5c)

- The acceptable range for your blood pressure is 160/90 to 110/60

- The venipuncture site should be free of any lesion or scar of needle pricks indicative of addiction to narcotics or frequent blood donation.

The goal for this conference service project is 75-100 pints (more if you are willing!). Please plan to leave a little of yourself at the Utah Rotary District Conference! Blood donation truly is "service above self" and something only you can give! In the words of Utah Rotary's First Lady Pat Trujillo, "if you're a blood owner . . . you can be a blood donor!"