RANGELEY – Fifty-three people took an hour out of their day on Monday to give blood at the American Red Cross blood drive at the Church of the Good Shepherd. It was particularly important because the supply is extremely low during the summer months.

“I know how important it is to give blood,” said Edward Leadley. “I was in the hospital not long ago and I wanted to give something back to the Red Cross.”

He said he has been a blood donor “for as long as I have been able.”

He and his mother, Judy Leadley, were among the first people to donate.

Donating blood is a four step process, which takes about an hour from start to finish. The first step is registration at the reception desk.

The second is a stop at the health history desk, where trained professionals will check blood pressure, iron level and temperature, and will ask specific questions about health to insure the person is eligible.

The third step is the actual donation, which takes about eight to 10 minutes. The fourth and final step is a visit to the canteen before leaving the site. Donors can save as many as three or four lives with each blood donation.

In Maine, 42 hospitals use 250 pints of blood per day to meet patients’ needs.

According to the Red Cross, “barely a fraction of those who can give do. Yet sooner or later, virtually all of us will face a time of great vulnerability in which we will need blood.”

Red Cross personnel advise that donors must be at least 18 years old (17 years old with a signed American Red Cross Parental Consent Form), weigh at least 110 pounds, have not donated blood within the past 56 days, have no history of hepatitis after age 11, and are feeling well the day of donation. There is no upper age limit and most medications are acceptable.

To donate phone 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit a Red Cross office.

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