For those of you who donate blood regularly, or who have donated even once - thank you! For those considering, or have never even thought about it, give it a thought this month - because it's National Blood Donor Month!
Why give blood?
On any given day in America, hospitals and trauma centers use almost 40,000 units of blood! The blood is used for accident and other trauma victims, for patients battling diseases and for those who are receiving organ transplants.
At certain times of the year, and during certain disasters (like Hurricane Katrina) more and more blood is needed. Shortages are often broadcast on local television stations, and national and local phone numbers are flashed on the screen. Please take a note of them and offer to donate.
There are several criteria to become a blood donor.
You must be at least 17 years old (16 in some states or with parental permission).
You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Persons with HIV, sickle cell disease (not sickle cell trait), Hepatitis or a recent STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea are not eligible. Pregnant women are also not eligible. Recent blood or organ recipients themselves need to wait about a year. If you have an active infection, or the flu, you will also have to wait.
Most others, even if on medication, are eligible. Talk to personnel at the blood donor stations, and fill out the forms, and you'll be told if you are good to go. All blood donated is tested for communicative diseases.
You may just save a life!
And another positive outcome of blood donation - free juice and cookies after you donate. Now if that's not reason enough...
For more information on blood donation and to see if you are eligible, click here to the Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/donate/give/
To find a blood donor location near you, call 1.800.GIVE-LIFE or click here and punch in your zip code: https://www.givelife.org/index_flash.cfm?thisHB=01/10/2009%2006:19:21
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Add a Comment3 Comments
Susan, great post and a great reminder!
There are a lot of people who don't know their blood type. It's good to know in case of an emergency. After you give for the first time, you'll receive a donor card in the mail and it will have your blood type listed on it.
Here's an American Red Cross chart on blood types, and which types can be used to help which people:
http://chapters.redcross.org/br/northernohio/INFO/bloodtype.html
If you've never given blood, you may also find out something about yourself that you didn't know before. You might find out that you have some type of blood that is particularly valuable to a certain kind of people.
I have type AB blood -- they are always glad to see me coming, because it's a rarer kind. A friend of mine is type O but her blood is lacking a particular protein marker and it makes it very easy to give her blood to newborns and in particular premies. She always feels special to be able to help that population.
January 12, 2009 - 10:30amThis Comment
I've read that the American Red Cross is in such dire need of blood in some of its locations around the country that it's offering gift cards and other promotional items to entice people to donate blood. That seems kind of sad to me that it's gotten to that point.
January 10, 2009 - 10:15pmThis Comment
Thanks for the share.
I wish I could give blood. The last time I tried, I passed out. I have such a fear of needles and blood just makes me queasy. I wonder if there is a way to overcome the fear of needles and blood to participate in such a great cause.
January 10, 2009 - 10:29amThis Comment