By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Dec. 26, 2003
Officials with Meridian's United Blood Services want to collect at least 300 units of blood to reach their goal for the 7th Annual M*A*S*H Bash.
Last year 223 people donated blood.
This year's M*A*S*H Bash blood drive will be Tuesday from noon until 7 p.m. at the Temple Theatre ballroom. The event is named after the popular movie and television series "M*A*S*H."
Susan Morris, public relations representative for UBS, said the community must get involved to help with the blood shortage.
If successful, the blood drive would let UBS start the new year with a one-day supply of blood on the shelves ready to meet patient needs.
If you want to donate and participate in M*A*S*H Bash, expect to stay at the Temple Theatre for about an hour. UBS will take your medical history, check your blood pressure and then take your blood.
WTOK-TV is sponsoring the event for the seventh consecutive year. Area businesses also have pledged their support with donations from Domino's Pizza, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership, Chick-Fil-A, Blue Bell Ice Cream and Weidmann's.
Free food and drinks will be offered to all blood donors, as well as a special edition M*A*S*H Bash T-shirt.
UBS workers will dress up as characters from the "M*A*S*H" TV series. Episodes from the show also will be shown while donors wait their turn at making history and saving lives.
DID YOU KNOW?
To be eligible to give blood, donors must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 17 years old.
Weigh at least 110 pounds.
Be in generally good health.
Have not taken antibiotics in the past 72 hours.
Have not given blood within 56 days.
Have photo identification.
Have not had a tattoo or body piercing in the last year.
Also, blood donors who have been cancer-free for a period of at least one year are eligible to give and diabetics can now give blood, as well as donors with high blood pressure.
For more information, call 482-2482.