St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Many thanks to the parishioners who have graciously donated blood at our previous Blood Drives and to those who offered but fell under the requirement margin.

Your blood donations make it possible for us to continue our Blood Assurance Program. Please contact Donna Lambert in the Church Office if you or a family member receives a blood transfusion or blood products, and we will contact OLOL to give credits to their account.

Our quarterly blood drives are part of our Knights of Columbus Council, and they do an excellent job monitoring the blood drives. The Knights usually offer a free lunch to each donor and sell plate lunches for the rest of the family.

Because of the generosity of the people of St. Alphonsus, any parishioner needing blood can have their blood needs covered by the church. If you or someone in your family needs blood, call the Church Office and speak to Donna Lambert. The blood will be credited to your account at the hospital. Let her know the person's name, date of birth, hospital (any hospital) and the amount of blood or blood products received.

Blood Donation Requirements

Many people find reasons that they cannot donate. Some are legitimate, and some are not. Below is a list of donor qualifications:

Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be 17 years of age. There is no upper age limit as long as you are feeling healthy and well.
Donors must be free from colds, flu and infections at the time of donations. A person can donate 24 hours after the last dose of antibiotics.
Diabetics can donate even if on insulin and are well controlled. Those using bovine insulin are deferred from giving. Oral medicine is accepted.
Minor dental procedures—cleaning/fillings can donate after 24 hours. Tooth extractions, root canals or oral surgery are deferred usually for 72 hours.
Most over the counter medications are acceptable. Blood pressure medications, hormones, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and diet pills are NOT a cause for deferral.
Donors with a history of internal cancers must wait 5 years after successful treatment/excision. Those with a history of melanoma cannot give again ever. Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are acceptable if excised and healed.
Donors with a history of hepatitis after age 10 are not ever allowed to donate.
Donors receiving blood/blood products within the last 12 months cannot give.
Tattoos are allowed if done at a licensed facility after one week.
Those receiving piercings using sterile technique and single use equipment can donate immediately.
Very few people are actually ineligible to give due to health reasons.