"Become a superhero" donor drive was held in Moscow with the participation of Locomotiv football club president

20.07.17

On July, 19 the president of the Football Club Locomotive Moscow Ilya Gerkus joined the "Become a superhero" event at the stadium in Cherkizovo. He donated blood at the mobile blood transfusion station.

Ilya Gerkus was met by Sergey Demin, the transfusiologist, and deputy director of the Lokomotiv Sports Medicine Center Sergey Mikushin. They instructed him about the following procedure, though there was no need in detailed explanation, because Ilya Leonidovich is an experienced donor and it has to be noted that a very valuable one. The president of Lokomotiv is the owner of a rare blood group 0 Rh+. This type does not cause an immune response to foreign cells and is considered one of the safest in transfusion. In other words, it is possible to transfuse such blood, regardless of patient’s Rhesus factor and blood group.

The president had an express medical test that showed that he was healthy and ready for the procedure.

After being approved each donor has to fill in a small form, show passport and without doubt to drink tea with sweets. As Sergey Mikushin said, a body should receive glucose and carbohydrates before donation – it strengthens well-being. Next – to the paramedic.

A few minutes later, Gerkus left the medical office. The blood bank was replenished by 450 milliliters.

"A few minutes – and a good deed is done," said Gerkus, "It’s not my first donation, so I didn’t feel nervous. We must understand that this is a contribution to saving people's lives. And it would be great if our fans, and there are many young people among them, will participate in blood drives on a regular basis. We thank all those who supported us today".

Doctors did not let him go immediately. Sergey Demin thanked the club for assistance and encouraged fans to continue supporting similar events in the future. In conclusion, Demin presented Gercus a watch, a diploma, and handed a release certificate. As a rule, a donor experiences sickness the next day and has the right to additional rest. However, Gerkus refused, due to busyness.

"We plan to hold similar drives in Cherkizovo on a regular basis. We thank the fans of the club, citizens of Moscow who became donors and visited our medical center. Blood donated for blood bank formation is a salvation for those who need treatment. First of all, medical centers for treatment of patients with cancer should have reliable stock of blood, as well as it’s crucial for patients in intensive care," said the representative of the football club Locomotiv.

Source of news and photos: http://www.fclm.ru/ru/publications/news/15848

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