Nutrition & Iron
Nutrition is the food you eat and how your body uses it. You need food to get energy for work and play, to move, to breathe – just to stay alive. Food also provides a variety of nutrients that help build and repair tissues so your body will function well.
Iron is one of the body’s most important elements. Iron helps make hemoglobin, the red substance in the blood that carries oxygen. Good nutrition is important in everyone’s life – especially to a blood donor. Iron is a major ingredient to good nutrition.
Red Cross iron level requirements make sure you can spare a pint of blood. The requirements also mean that each patient receives an iron-rich blood transfusion.
TIPS: Maintaining the Iron Levels in Your Blood
Combine Foods Rich in Vitamin C with Foods Rich in Iron: Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. It can be found in citrus fruits/juices, kiwi, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cabbage, spinach, beets and leafy greens such as turnips, and collard greens.
Cook with Cast Iron: As your food cooks, it will pick up iron from the cookware.
Drink Water and Avoid Coffee and Tea: Tannins in coffee and tea can block the absorption of iron. Drinking lots of water has countless benefits.
Eat Iron-Rich Foods: Red meat, oysters, clams, soybeans, dried beans, peas and lentils, whole grain cereals and breads, as well as prunes and dried fruits, are excellent sources of iron!
Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities:
04/12/14 Break Time Sports Bar and Grille 407 England Street Ashland 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
04/15/14 Richmond RSMO Cary Street 420 East Cary St Richmond 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
04/15/14 Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center 13710 St. Francis Blvd. Midlothian 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
04/17/14 Parallon Supply Chain Solutions 200 Wadsworth Dr. Richmond 8:00 am – 11:45 am
04/19/14 Best Buy Hanover 7297 Battle Hill Dr Mechanicsville 2:15 pm – 5:15 pm
04/19/14 Home Depot Mechanicsville 7251 Bell Creek Road Mechanicsville 9:00 am – 11:45 am
04/22/14 Richmond RSMO Cary Street 420 East Cary St Richmond 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
04/23/14 Comcast Chesterfield 6510 Iron Bridge Road Richmond 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
04/25/14 Stony Point Apartments 3012 Stony Lake Drive Richmond 2:15 pm – 5:15 pm
04/26/14 Atlee Little League 8324 Whipporwill Road Mechanicsville 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
04/29/14 Richmond RSMO Cary Street 420 East Cary St Richmond 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
04/30/14 Kroger #502 4816 S. Laburnum Avenue Henrico 9:00 am – 11:45 am
04/30/14 Sweet Frog 10040 Sliding Hill Road Ashland 2:15 pm – 5:15 pm
How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
