ROANOKE RAPIDS — The month of August is particularly difficult for people looking to the American Red Cross for help. Blood donations dip to a critical level and lives can be endangered if people don’t “roll up their sleeves” to give the gift of life.

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Many people across the Roanoke Valley give blood regularly and their sacrifice is greatly appreciated. On Aug. 25, the Kirkwood Adams Community Center will offer everyone an opportunity to donate from noon until 6 p.m.

“We need the blood. We need the donors, new and old, and we’re bringing additional staff,” said American Red Cross donor recruiter Ernie Smith.

Smith said he’s looking forward to seeing how this blood drive turns out and he’s grateful for everyone participating on any level. “This couldn’t come at a better time of the year. We really need it with the holiday coming. The month of August is so difficult.”

If you are at least 16-years-old, with a minimum weight of 110 pounds and in overall good health, you are encouraged to stop by Kirkwood Adams to give blood. If you think, “Well, I don’t know if I can give blood” — one way to find out is to show up and talk to a Red Cross staff person. It is all part of the process that takes about a half an hour total.

The process: You will be met by one of the volunteer staff who will take a bit of your medical history. Then, a staff member will check your iron or hemoglobin levels, your temperature, blood pressure and pulse. “The actual donation takes an average of seven to ten minutes,” said Smith.

Hospitals request type O blood more frequently than any other type. In trauma situations, knowledge of a patient’s blood type is not always immediately available. Trauma victims may need blood immediately and type O can be used until the patient’s blood type can be identified.

“If you meet certain criteria, you can be a double red cell donor,” he said.  The process for being a double red cell donor is a different from the usual. You’re set up on an automated system where blood is drawn from one arm, channeled through a sterile, single-use collection set to an automated machine. The blood is separated in the machine, two units of red cells are collected and the rest of your blood is returned to your body along with saline into the same arm.

There are some benefits to giving double red cells. For one, you don’t lose the liquid portion of your blood and you might feel more hydrated after giving blood. Another benefit is each donation lets you give more of the blood products needed by patients.

Double red cell donation takes about 30 minutes longer and you can give once every four months. To be a double blood cell donor, you must meet the regular donation requirements. If you are a man your hemoglobin must be at or above 13.3, weigh at least 130 pounds and be at least five feet, one inch tall.

A woman must also have hemoglobin levels of 13.3, weigh at least 150 pounds and be at least five feet, five inches tall.

The Red Cross said the procedure is as safe as whole blood donation and proven efficient and comfortable. To prepare for being a double red cell donor, eat foods rich in iron and vitamin C.

For more information or to volunteer for the Aug. 25 blood drive, call 537-2505 ext. 235.