American Red Cross and Ohio University Southern will host a blood drive in the Riffe Rotunda on Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please bring a photo ID or donor card. Your blood is needed more than you think!

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BLOOD  AFTER I DONATE?

1. AT THE BLOOD DRIVE OR DONATION CENTER You share the gift of life through blood donation. Your donation is assigned a unique computer barcode number, which will identify it throughout its path to a hospital patient.

2. AT THE RED CROSS LABORATORY Samples of blood components are sent for testing to an American Red Cross National Testing Laboratory to ensure they’re safe for patients. The blood is separated into three components: red cells, platelets and plasma and placed in quarantined, temperature-controlled refrigeration units until the test results are received (usually 12-16 hours later). After the blood components are released from testing, they are transported to the hospitals as needed.

3. AT THE HOSPITAL Doctors determine when a patient needs a transfusion and which component they need.  The blood component is then transfused to a patient by hospital personnel.

Register to donate today.