Community invited to give blood in honor of Bryan Joas

MHC Software hosts #JoasStrong blood drive March 8

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – MHC Software invites employees and the community to give blood in honor of employee Bryan Joas at their Burnsville headquarters March 8.

On March 8, 2016, while riding his bicycle home from work, Joas was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left him with life-threatening injuries. He required 12 surgeries during his 88-day hospital stay where received at least 35 units of blood and 11 units of platelets to help save his life. To help build awareness of the constant need for blood, MHC Software is holding a blood drive in his honor on the anniversary of his accident.

“We at MHC are grateful that there was blood available for Bryan Joas when he needed it after his tragic accident,” said Bob Comezemius, CEO, MHC Software. “We are happy to help raise awareness of the importance of having lifesaving blood products available for trauma patients like Bryan and others with serious medical needs.”

Donate blood in honor of Bryan Joas - #JoasStrong
Wednesday, March 8
1 to 7 p.m.
MHC Software
12000 Portland Ave.

To make an appointment to donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App and use sponsor code JoasStrongBV, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

“Many people don’t understand the importance of having blood on the shelves, especially when the unexpected happens,” said Joas. “You just never know when you or a loved one will be the one in need. Without lifesaving blood, my condition might be very different. I’m living proof that blood helps save lives, and I urge anyone who is able to donate to take an hour of their day and give the gift of life.”

Joas is back to working full-time and is looking forward to riding his bicycle again this spring and summer. He currently is unable to donate blood, but hopes that he will be able to in the future to help pay it forward. “I’m just a cheerleader right now, but I hope to be able to donate in the future,” he said.

Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Blood collected at the blood drive in honor of Joas may help many types of patients including accident and trauma victims, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies and patients with blood diseases, such as leukemia, sickle cell disease and more.

Donors of all blood types are currently needed. When there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type, such as in trauma situations, type O negative blood and type AB plasma are what emergency personnel reach for because they can be given to patients with any blood type. Less than 7 percent of the population has type O negative blood, and only about 4 percent of the population has type AB blood. Donors with these blood types are an important part of the trauma team and encouraged to donate as often as they are eligible.

How to donate blood
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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