Red Cross recruiting blood donors to new donation center

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Once a month, you’ll find Mike Rice on a comfy couch catching a matinee in Norfolk. While he sits savoring the cinema, he is also saving lives.

“I’ve been donating [platelets] for over five years,” Rice said.

At the new Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center, donors can sit back and watch while techs hook them up to the machines that collect a critical commodity.

“Well, it can’t be manufactured, we have to collect it,” said Red Cross of Coastal Virginia board chairman Kevin Merritt. “One out of every seven people that go into a hospital need a blood transfusion.”

The Red Cross collects about half of all the blood used in the United States through blood drives and at collection centers like the one at 601 Woodis Ave. in Norfolk.

“It’s brand new, state-of-the-art facility where we can collect platelets, whole blood and stem cells to take care of the patients in the local area,” Merritt said.

Rice has certainly taken care of more than a few people over the years.

“I’ve got over 200 gallons that I’ve donated platelets,” he said.

Platelets are essential to those fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. Donating them takes about as long as it does to watch a movie.

“You know, there’s worse things I can do for 2 hours,” Rice said, “so, you know, I look at it , I’m healthy, I’m helping other people out.”

A blood donation can be done in about 30 minutes.

“Everybody that rolls up his or her sleeve can help save up to three lives with that pint of blood,” Merritt said.

The Red Cross offers donors gift cards and other perks so, even if the movie bombs, Rice said it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.

“At least for me, it’s a very relaxing process,” Rice said.

If you want to donate to the Red Cross, click here to register or learn more.

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