Need for Blood Ongoing



Tuesday’s editorials tackle a pair of health care issues. First, we urge residents not to forget that blood donations are needed year-round and especially during the holidays. Second, we appreciate the prudent course that Georgetown Memorial Hospital has taken in the planning of its new facility.

Donating a pint of blood is an inexpensive way to help one of the most worthwhile of causes. The donation takes only one’s time and blood donors soon have the pint of blood back as their bodies replenish it. Additionally, giving blood Wednesday or Thursday will trigger a cash donation to Helping Hand.

The American Red Cross S.C. Blood Services Region is hoping for 100 units of blood in the first Thanks4giving two-day blood drive Wednesday and Thursday. The Sun News and Time Warner Cable are sponsoring the drive. For every unit of blood, Time Warner will donate $5 to Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach.

Every blood drive participant will receive an American Red Cross T-shirt and a goody bag.

The two-day drive was scheduled this week because the need for blood is especially critical during the holidays. “Our need is constant – it doesn’t go away” says Frecia Ammons, donor recruitment representative for the Red Cross. The Grand Strand Donor Center in Myrtle Beach is part of the S.C. Blood Services Region which serves 54 hospitals, including those in the area. The hospitals typically use 500 units of blood every day.

Blood donors must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be 17 years old. Ammons says 16-year-olds may be donors with parental consent. Donors need photo identification or their Red Cross donor card. They should eat a “substantial meal” prior to giving blood and be well-hydrated, Ammons says.

Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Qualified donors will be contributing to the vital blood supply and indirectly to Helping Hand.

Appointments to donate

When | Noon to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday

Where | Grand Strand Donor Center, 7747 N. Kings Highway in Northwoods Plaza, Myrtle Beach

 

Georgetown hospital plan prudent

Georgetown Hospital System’s revised building plan is an excellent example of prudently adjusting to changing times. Five years ago, Georgetown Hospital System planned a new hospital on U.S. 701, based on expected growth. The hospital was looking to anticipated future need. As several economic factors changed, including a decline in the number of patients and their lengths of stays, so did future need.

The vice president of system development, Rick Kaylor, puts it this way: “There was a recognition that the scope of the project had to be reviewed and that we had to do something different than what we could have done initially.” Now, the hospital system has announced it will construct a new building at 606 Black River Road, the site of the existing hospital. The system also is constructing a new medical office building at Waccamaw Community Hospital in northern Georgetown County.

The new hospital in the city of Georgetown is still in planning. Completion is four or five years off, Kaylor says. The hospital will continue services in the present building until the new structure is completed. “We’re trying to meet the need and be prudent with the resources we have now.” That surely seems like the best way to go.

Phone | 800-733-2767 or 843-839-4483

 

The American Red Cross S.C. Blood Services Region is hoping for 100 units of blood in the first Thanks4giving two-day blood drive Wednesday and Thursday. The Sun News and Time Warner Cable are sponsoring the drive. For every unit of blood, Time Warner will donate $5 to Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach.

Every blood drive participant will receive an American Red Cross T-shirt and a goody bag.

The two-day drive was scheduled this week because the need for blood is especially critical during the holidays. “Our need is constant – it doesn’t go away” says Frecia Ammons, donor recruitment representative for the Red Cross. The Grand Strand Donor Center in Myrtle Beach is part of the S.C. Blood Services Region which serves 54 hospitals, including those in the area. The hospitals typically use 500 units of blood every day.

Blood donors must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be 17 years old. Ammons says 16-year-olds may be donors with parental consent. Donors need photo identification or their Red Cross donor card. They should eat a “substantial meal” prior to giving blood and be well-hydrated, Ammons says.

Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Qualified donors will be contributing to the vital blood supply and indirectly to Helping Hand.

Appointments to donate

When | Noon to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday

Where | Grand Strand Donor Center, 7747 N. Kings Highway in Northwoods Plaza, Myrtle Beach

 

Georgetown hospital plan prudent

Georgetown Hospital System’s revised building plan is an excellent example of prudently adjusting to changing times. Five years ago, Georgetown Hospital System planned a new hospital on U.S. 701, based on expected growth. The hospital was looking to anticipated future need. As several economic factors changed, including a decline in the number of patients and their lengths of stays, so did future need.

The vice president of system development, Rick Kaylor, puts it this way: “There was a recognition that the scope of the project had to be reviewed and that we had to do something different than what we could have done initially.” Now, the hospital system has announced it will construct a new building at 606 Black River Road, the site of the existing hospital. The system also is constructing a new medical office building at Waccamaw Community Hospital in northern Georgetown County.

The new hospital in the city of Georgetown is still in planning. Completion is four or five years off, Kaylor says. The hospital will continue services in the present building until the new structure is completed. “We’re trying to meet the need and be prudent with the resources we have now.” That surely seems like the best way to go.

Phone | 800-733-2767 or 843-839-4483