Blood Drive at Civic Center

The local university blood center had a blood drive today at the Civic Center auditorium．Almost 300people showed up，but about 50were turned away for various medical reasons．Fifty others left because the lines were moving so slowly．The event concluded at 6pm，three hours after the scheduled close．It was a long day for everyone-administrators，nurses，and donors．But there were plenty of chairs and tables，and many people brought their own books，magazines，or newspapers．

The first thing the donors had to do，of course，was fill out the donor registration and screening form．When they finished filling out the form，they waited until a nurse called them to her desk．The average adult body contains 8to 12pints of blood．Donors can give one pint at a time．It takes your body 2to 4weeks to replace this amount．Most donors filled up the pint bag within 5to 10minutes．

Before leaving，the donors received a sheet of instructions including Do not lift any heavy objects for 12hours．Leave your pressure bandage on for 2～3hours．Do not smoke for at least 30minutes．Avoid alcohol for the rest of the day．Do not do any laborious activity for 24hours．

"I wish I could hug and kiss all the volunteers that are here today，"said Martha，the blood center donor recruiter．"Many donors underestimate the importance of what they're doing．They think it is no big deal，but it is a big deal．Their blood is actually saving lives，helping other people to live，which will lead to a more harmonious society．We cannot thank them enough for that，nor can the recipients．"

Title Blood Drive at Civic Centre