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Roll up a sleeve

By Staff | Sep 30, 2021

For at least the second time is six months, Lee Health has issued an urgent call to our community: The need for blood donations is urgent.

“Lee Health is seeking blood donations to help replenish supply levels,” system officials said in a plea made earlier this week. “Current blood supplies are critically low, and Lee Health’s blood centers are in urgent need of donors.”

As home to the region’s only trauma center, it is vital that the health system’s blood supply remains at healthy levels so medical professionals can quickly care for patients needing a transfusion. But blood and blood products are not only used in the trauma center, they also are used to treat cancer patients, premature babies, anemia and a variety of other conditions.

Lee Health’s blood centers are the sole supplier of all blood products for the entire health system.

To meet the needs of the health care system’s four acute care hospitals — Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center and Lee Memorial Hospital and its regional Trauma Center — as well as its specialty hospitals and facilities — Golisano Children’s Hospital, the Rehabilitation Hospital, the Regional Cancer Center and Lee Health Coconut Point — Lee Health needs at least 800 donations a week.

That’s how many volunteers need to turn out to help Lee Health maintain the blood supply required for patient care.

Almost anyone can give and a single donation does matter — it can help three patients in need because that pint can be separated into components, red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

It’s quick and easy to donate as well as convenient — numerous blood drives are scheduled this month.

Here in and near Cape Coral, donation opportunities include:

Thursday, Oct. 7

* The City of Cape Coral Police Department, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 1100 Cultural Park Blvd. S.

Saturday, Oct. 9

* AM Vets Post #81 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 1910 N. Tamiami Trail., N. Fort Myers

* The South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 909 S.E. 47th Terrace Unit #105

The bus will be parked in Club Square, behind the South Cape Hub and BackStreets on Southeast 47th Terrace.

Donors will receive a punch card with complimentary offers from local businesses including BackStreets Sports Bar, Coral Reef Car Wash, Greek Spot, Karma and Coconuts Unique Gift Art & Gift Boutique, Maria’s Pizzeria, Paesano’s Italian Kitchen, Pawty Depot, Penny’s Coffee Bar, Sidecar Treats, Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill, Tiki Hut, and Zak’s Jewelry.

Thursday, Oct. 14

* Lee Physician Group -Urology, 1-5 p.m., 507 Del Prado Blvd.

Friday, Oct. 15

* Lynx Services, 2-5 p.m., 6351 Bayshore Road, Suite 18, N. Fort Myers

Wednesday, Oct. 20

* The New Resident’s Club, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 5815 Driftwood Parkway.

Thursday, Oct. 21

* Lee County VA Clinic, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2489 Diplomat Parkway E.,

* Lee County Tax Collector, 3-5 p.m., 1039 S.E. 9th Place

Saturday, Oct. 23

* American Legion #90, noon-5 p.m., 1401 S.E. 47th St.,

Tuesday, Oct. 26

* Marine Concepts 9 a.m.-noon, 2443 S.W. Pine Island Road

Saturday, Oct. 30

* Cape Coral Masonic Lodge #367/ Noah Lodge #357 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 41 Willis Road, N. Fort Myers

Sunday, Oct. 31

* First Christian Church of Cape Coral 9 a.m.-1 p.m, 2620 Country Club Blvd.

A complete list of locations around the county may be found at leehealth.org/our-services/blood-centers/blood-mobile/blood-drives

If you can’t make one of the drives, Lee Health has donation locations and can accommodate most any schedule.

Here in the Cape, blood donations can be made at Cape Coral Hospital, 636 Del Prado Blvd., Call 424-2400.

Other locations include:

— Lee Memorial Hospital 2776 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, Phone: 239-343-2333

— Summerlin Crossings 15880 Summerlin Road, Suite 113, Fort Myers, 33908 Phone: 239-343-7122.

— Bonita Community Health Center 3501 Health Center Blvd., Suite 2100, Bonita Springs, Phone: 239-495-4372 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For businesses and organizations looking to help, the Lee Memorial Blood Mobile can come to you. Call 239-343-2333 for more information.

Blood donations are called the “gift of life.”

That they are.

Perhaps now more than ever.

Consider rolling up a sleeve.

— Breeze editorial