(Es File Photo)

NORWICH – The Guernsey Memorial Library will be sponsoring and hosting an emergency blood drive by the Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 6.

The Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage, and all blood types and components are needed. Blood donations can help cancer patients, trauma patients, burn victims, sickle cell patients, and patients with chronic diseases.

There are three donation options: whole blood donation, power red donation, and platelet donation.

Whole blood donations contain red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Donors must be 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent, and weigh at least 110 pounds.

According to the Red Cross, "Whole blood is the most flexible type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma and platelets."

Power red donations use a machine to allow individuals to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation; plasma and platelets are returned back to the body through the same needle. This type of donation is for type O, A-negative, and B-negative blood types.

Donors must be at least 17 years old in most states, male donors must be at least 5'1" and weigh 130 pounds, and female donors must be at least 5'3" and weight at least 150 pounds.

The Red Cross said red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component and are needed by nearly all patients requiring blood transfusions. Power red donations take approximately 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation, and donors often feel better and more hydrated after the procedure, as platelets, plasma, and saline are put back into the body.

Lastly, platelet donation is also an option. The Red Cross said platelets are highly needed by patients fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Donors must be at least 17 years old in most states and weigh at least 110 pounds.

Platelet donations are given using an apheresis machine, which the Red Cross says "will collect a small amount of blood, remove the platelets, and return the rest of the blood through your other arm." This cycle is repeated over the course of about two hours.

To register to donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org. Those who give blood in the month of February can also receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/heart for more information.

Common reasons individuals may be ineligible to donate include illness, certain medications, low iron, and travel outside of the US in the past three years. For more details on eligibility, visit RedCrossBlood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html.

On the day of donation, individuals must sign in and go over basic eligibility requirements, show ID, read provided information about donating blood, and provide a complete address. Donors will also be asked questions about their health history, medication history, and travel history in a confidential interview. Temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels will also be checked.

It's recommended to get at least eight hours sleep the night before donating; eat iron-rich food such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals, or raisins; avoid fatty foods; and drink extra fluids, including an extra 16 ounces of water before the appointment.

At the time of donation, the Red Cross says donors should let personnel know if they have a preferred arm or a vein that has been used to successfully draw blood in the past. Donors can also listen to music, talk to other donors, or read during their donation.

After donation, donors will be given a snack and something to drink in a refreshment area, and will be able to leave ten to 15 minutes after giving blood. Donors are also recommended to keep the strip bandage on their arm for the next several hours, and avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.

Donors should call the Red Cross at 1-866-236-3276 to report any additional health information that was forgotten during the appointment, or if any medical care is needed after donation.

For more information on blood donation, visit RedCrossBlood.org.