Greenbelt Lions Club and Doctors Hospital Blood Drive Thursday

The Greenbelt Lions Club and Doctors Community Hospital are sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the hospital.  

There is an emergency need for blood donors now, according to the Red Cross' website, which states: "Donations are down more than 10 percent across the country resulting in 50,000 fewer pints of blood than expected."

Doctor Hospital is located at 8118 Good Luck Road in Lanham, MD. The blood drive will take place on the 5th floor of the Medical Office Building.

To make an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins also are accepted.

The American Red Cross offers tips for a successful donation.

Before Your Donation

• Maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals and raisins.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before the donation.
• Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries or ice cream before donating. Tests for infections done on all donated blood can be affected by fats that appear in your blood for several hours after eating fatty foods.
• If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation.
• Remember to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID.

For more information and for advice on what to do during the donation, see the The American Red Cross' website.