Shakopee, MN - During the season of giving, blood donors are desperately needed. It is during this time that the number of blood donations declines while the demand continues or even increases. It only takes one hour to give one pint of blood which could potentially save as many as three lives.

Platelets, red blood cells, and plasma from each pint of blood can be harvested for use in separate patients. On average, car accident and blood loss victims will need transfusions of 50 pints or more of red blood cells. Bone marrow transplant patients need platelet donations from about 120 people and red blood cells from about 20 people. Platelets, the smallest of the three major types of blood cells, help blood clot. Severe burn victims can need 20 units of platelets during their treatment. Children being treated for cancer, premature infants, and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types. Anemic patients need blood transfusions to increase their iron levels. Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, and patients undergoing open-heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will hold a holiday blood drive Tuesday, December 9, 2008, from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, as an active participant in the local community, holds several blood drives each year to help save lives. The SMSC has sponsored blood drives for more than 20 years.

In order to give blood you need to be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, be at least 17 years old, and not have donated blood in the last 56 days. Other health matters are discussed as part of the health history and brief examination. If you have received a tattoo, then you are ineligible to donate for one year.

If you are planning to give blood, it is recommended that you get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, drink plenty of water (avoid tea, coffee, or pop with caffeine), and eat ironrich foods like red meat, fish, poultry, liver, beans, raisins, prunes, or iron-fortified cereals. Be sure and wear clothing that can be raised above the elbow. After you donate blood, have a beverage and snack and avoid strenuous exercise for five hours.

If you would like to make an appointment to give blood during the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's holiday blood drive, please call SMSC Wellness Coordinator Angela Mostrom at 952-233-2965 to register. A limited number of walk-ins will also be able to donate blood at this blood drive.