Morris Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Supports January Blood Donor Month

BRONX, N.Y. - Feb. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Millions of people donate blood to help others in times of emergency for many different reasons. Some donate for a relative or a friend in need, others just for the satisfaction of helping another. The month of January, designated as Blood Donor Month, is particularly important for donations due to the frequency of winter weather accidents and injuries.

Morris Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center encourages members of the community to participate in blood drives this month. The Red Cross estimates 41,000 blood donations are needed every day and while that goal may not be reached, there are enough people eligible to donate to fill it. The Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage, a dangerous situation to be at when someone in the US is in need of blood every two seconds.

When deciding to give blood, one should follow these simple steps for the best donation experience. First, when giving blood, it is possible to become dizzy from a drop in blood sugar. Drink plenty of water and fruit juice the night and morning before a donation and avoid dehydrating caffeinated beverages. Having food in your stomach also helps decrease light headedness, so it is advised to eat three hours before donation. During your donation, remember to relax. Bring a calming playlist or a book, something that only requires one hand to use. Finally, after your donation, be sure to have a meal high in protein to help your body replenish your blood supply. Remember to steer clear of alcoholic beverages for at least 8 hours post donation.

Morris Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a top-notch 191-bed skilled nursing and comprehensive care facility serving the healthcare needs of the Bronx, New York. Located at 1235 Pelham Parkway North, Bronx, NY, Morris Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center offers 24-hour comprehensive inpatient care to their residents. Services include exceptional long-term care and short-term rehabilitation for individuals coming from an acute-care setting, an Alzheimer's/Dementia program, hospice and more. Morris Parks’ highly trained team of physical, occupational and speech therapists carefully tailor unique recovery programs for each resident.

For more information on Morris Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, visiting hours or general inquiries, kindly contact Estela Rono at 718.231.4300 or esteller@morrisparkrehab.com. Check out their newly redesigned website at www.morrisparkrehab.com. Like them at Facebook.com/MorrisParkRehab and Follow them at Twitter.com/MorrisParkRehab.