Hospital to hold Platelet Drive to benefit Adam Garcia

By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer
    Jackson County Hospital will host a platelet blood drive on Thursday, Dec. 22 to benefit Adam Garcia, who has been battling cancer.
    Anyone interested in donating platelets is asked to eat a good meal before donating, to bring a photo I.D. and to refrain from taking aspirin or asprin-containing products for 48 hours beforehand. Most pain relieverq, including Motrin, Aleve, Excedrin, Nuprin, and others contain some aspirin. Donors are also asked to avoid garlique, ginseng, ginkgo biloba and ginger for 48 hours prior to donation.
    Donors must weigh at least 100 pounds and be at least 17 years old. People with tattoos or piercings may donate as long as they were done in a state licensed facility more than two weeks before the date of donation. Most cancer survivors are excluded from donation, although basal cell carcinoma of the skin and carcinoma in-situ of the cervix are exceptions.
    The drive is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and refreshments will be served.