Jul 31, 2022 10:30 AM —  05:00 PM Wichita Oasis - Sunday Gathering —  1650 N Fairview Ave, Wichita, KS 67203

Each month, Oasis hosts a potluck to encourage community and social interaction. Bring a dish if you want to share, or come with just your appetite. We're happy to have you here! 

This month at our potluck, we will also be hosting the American Red Cross for a blood donation drive. The Red Cross saw a steep drop in blood and platelet donations last month, and donors are asked to make appointments now to prevent a blood shortage this summer. In June, the Red Cross collected approximately 12% fewer blood donations than needed – one of the largest monthly blood donation shortfalls in recent years. When less people answer the call to donate, the blood supply shrinks – and that could mean blood products aren’t ready for hospital staff to reach for in emergencies. 

The blood drive will between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm while the potluck takes place at our usual gathering time 10:30 -12:00. If you are need the services of the kids room for your donation appointment outside of the usual gathering hours, let us know and we'll make sure to have someone available for childcare. You are encourage to donate before, during or after the potluck as it is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of iron-rich foods before and after your donation. If you are feeling nervous or anxious about donating, we will all be there to support you while you donate for a good cause.

Sign up for an appointment to donate by calling 1-800-RED CROS (1-800-733-2767) or online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code WichitaOasis (no space) in the top right corner of the page under "Find a Blood Drive." 

The donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average. The steps in the process are:
Registration
- You will complete donor registration, which includes information such as your name, address, phone number, and donor identification number (if you have one).
- You will be asked to show a donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID.
Health History and Mini Physical
- You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and the places you have traveled.
- You will have your temperature, hemoglobin, blood pressure and pulse checked.
- You can speed this process up by completing a RapidPass online or on the Blood Donor app on the day of your donation. https://www.redcrossblood.org/.../manage.../rapidpass.html
Donation
- We will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand–new, sterile needle for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds.
- You will have some time to relax while the bag is filling. (For a whole blood donation, it is about 8-10 minutes. If you are donating platelets, red cells or plasma by apheresis the collection can take up to 2 hours.)
- When approximately a pint of blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm.
- You can also Download the Blood Donor app. After your first donation, use the digital donor card to scan in at registration. https://www.redcrossblood.org/blood-donor-app.html
Refreshments
- You will spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments to allow your body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume.
- After 10-15 minutes you can then leave the donation site and continue with your normal daily activities.
- Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have helped to save lives.
- Your gift of blood may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells do not last forever. They have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.
For answers to other FAQ about blood donation visit: https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html#donating-blood

Kids Room. Oasis is focused on families, and we provide our children with engaging and fun activities during Sunday gatherings overseen by a paid, background-checked staff. Parents can drop off their young ones with our team in the kids room, where they will meet new friends and enjoy fun activities together. Along with the kids' room at weekly Sunday gatherings, Oasis provides a network of support for parents and children to grow up in a framework of compassion, critical thinking and dogma free education.