Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center

Donate     Partners     Sponsor a Blood Drive     Need a Speaker?

Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center is your community blood center serving the needs of patients and hospitals in Eastern Polk County. We are the sole supplier of blood to Winter Haven Hospital, Lake Wales Medical Center, and Regency Center for Women and Infants. Our donors are the links to saving lives. Without you, we would not be able to provide the "Gift of Life" each and every day.

We have 2 community Donor Centers and three bloodmobiles that travel throughout our community every day.

Main Center

460 First Street North
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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Branch Location

Lake Wales Medical Centers
Room 128, Deeley Hunt Building
410 South 11th Street
Lake Wales, FL

Hours

Monday and Thursday, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Mobile Blood Drives

(On rare occasion, blood drive schedule is subject to change)

 

Monday January 30, 2012
Lake Wales Medical Center	10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday January 31, 2012
Scenic Self Storage	7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Westside Ridge Mobile Home Park	2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday February 1, 2012
Coke	6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Brown International Corporation	7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Thursday February 2, 2012
Coke	6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Coldwell Banker	9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday February 3, 2012
Florida Chemical Company	1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Saturday February 4, 2012
Lake Wales Elks Club #1974	8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Sunday February 5, 2012
First Baptist Church of Lake Alfred	9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Village Church of God	9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

 

Did you know?

• The Community Blood Center needs to collect at least 100 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of our hospitals.
• Blood cannot be manufactured artificially and nothing can be substituted for the functions that blood serves. The only source of the blood supply is from volunteer blood donors.
• Approximately 60% of the U.S. population is medically able to give blood, even though many people mistakenly believe that they are unable. However only 4 - 5% actually donates once or more per year.
• Every three seconds someone needs blood.
• If all blood donors gave 2 to 4 times a year, there would be no blood shortages.

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Donate

Who Can Donate Blood?

In general you ARE ELIGIBLE to donate blood if:

• You are 16 years old or older. There is no upper age limit. Age 16 requires parental consent. There is no upper age limit if healthy.
• You weigh at least 110 pounds
• You are in good health. If taking medication, you may be able to donate depending on the reason for and the type of medication.

Persons taking most medications are able to donate blood.

Medications that do not prevent you from donating:

• High Blood Pressure Medications
• Insulin (by mouth or injection)
• Allergy Medications
• Asthma Medications
• Anti-depressants
• Aspirin
• Cholesterol Lowering Medications
• Seizure Medications
• Diet Pills

You ARE NOT ELIGIBLE to donate if:

• You had hepatitis after the age of 10.
• You are pregnant.
• You have had a tattoo within the last 12 months.
• You participate in high-risk behaviors.

Medications that preclude you from donating:

• Antibiotic for current infection
• Avodart
• Proscar
• Propecia
• Accutane

What about:

• Anemia (low iron)
  Iron levels in the blood can vary daily. These levels are checked at the time of donation. If you were previously deferred because of your iron level, please try again.
• Breast Feeding
  You may donate if you are breastfeeding.
• Menstrual Period
  You may donate if you are feeling well.
• Hemochromatosis
  You may be eligible do donate blood for others if you have hereditary hemochromatosis. To do so you must present an appropriately completed prescription or requisition from your physician. You must meet all other criteria for volunteer whole blood donors, except the donation interval. For further information call the Blood Center at 863-297-1840.

Some Hints for a Very Successful First-Time Donation:

• Realize that it’s normal to be nervous. Many people experience a natural hesitancy towards donating. Once you have done it, the fear of the unknown is overcome and you’ll feel very good about yourself.
• Drink lots of water and try to eat a good meal before donating. The water helps to replace the small amount of fluid that you lose when you donate.
• Familiarize yourself with the donation process. Ask questions. Understanding the process helps you relax.
• Think about the fact that with one donation, you are helping 3 people to have another birthday, another hug, another chance at life.

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Partners

Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center, a community blood provider, is always looking for ways to partner with members of our community. Through the partnerships, local companies and organizations offer special "thank-yous" to blood donors. The "thank-yous" may be items to be raffled at area blood drives or donor centers, special coupons, discounts, etc. As members of the community, these local business and organizations like to show their appreciation for those who donate to the community blood supply. If you are interested in partnering with Community Blood Center, please e-mail bloodcenter@winterhavenhospital.org. Partners also receive recognition from our organization for their contribution.

Current partners include:

• McDonald’s (Winter Haven, Dundee, Haines City, Davenport)
• Ruby Tuesdays
• Boston Market
• Chevrolet Center of Winter Haven
• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
• Walmart Store #968

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Sponsor A Blood Drive

About 65% of our blood is collected on our bloodmobiles. We can bring a bloodmobile to your location for as few as 5 donors.

Who can sponsor a blood drive?

You can! Blood drives can be held at your place of employment, your community, your church, your school, your civic group, and special events.

What do I have to do?

Just contact us. We will assist you in setting up your blood drive.

To set up your blood drive, call: (863) 297-1840
or e-mail: bloodcenter@winterhavenhospital.org

How much time will this project require of me?

The first time drive usually takes a little more time. You will be establishing a "baseline" of donors. After your first drive, it’s easy. Just invite your regular donors and ask each of them to bring a friend.The Blood Center Staff will provide any needed assistance to help your blood drive be successful.

Will my blood drive really make a difference?

Yes. Winter Haven Hospital Community Blood Center is not affiliated with the American Red Cross or the very large independent blood centers surrounding us. Although we have maintained a good working relationship with surrounding blood centers, we operate with no support or financial backing from those organizations.

The blood collected at our blood drives is primarily used for our patients. Our goal is to provide the blood for this community from this community. Every single donor is extremely important. The most important unit of blood is the one the doctor just requested for a patient. The rarest type of blood is the one that is not available when needed.

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Need A Speaker?

Blood Center representatives are available to speak at your upcoming meeting or event.

Topics include:

• Thank You Blood Donors for Saving My Life – From a Recipient
• Corporate Blood Drives
• The Need for Younger Donors
• The Blood Donation Process
• Community Blood Needs?
• Safety of the Blood Supply
• Blood Bank Special Programs
• Baby Donor Program
• Hereditary Hemochromatosis Donor Program
• Autologous / Directed Donor Program

Speakers are also available to speak at school groups ranging from PTO and teacher groups to 4th grade and up classes.

Speaker information is available by calling Winter Haven Hospital Speakers' Bureau at (863) 291-6705 weekdays, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

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