January 2019
is here! Let’s ring in the new year! Perhaps you’ve received some nice gifts or
had extra time off from work over the holidays. Maybe you even managed to go
somewhere warm. That’s great! Now it’s time to get back to business. Let’s start
the new year off right by doing something good, something noble for other
people. Let’s ring in 2019 by holding out our arms and giving blood.
Blood is
usually in short supply in the winter months, especially in the month of January.
Weather has had some severe turns the last couple of months in many areas of
the United States and blood drives have been cancelled. People are exhausted
from the holidays and are getting back to work and school. Some may have New
Year’s resolutions to eat better, exercise and focus on their health. All these
things create a reduction in blood donor turnout causing a blood shortage
around our country.
Maybe you
have some questions on blood donation, for example, who can be a donor or the
different types of blood donations. Most people do have questions, especially
if they’ve never given blood before.
Donors must
meet certain requirements regarding age, weight and last donation date. A donor
must be in good health and feeling well at the time of the donation. Other
criteria that may affect donor eligibility can be:
- Certain medical conditions
- Medical treatments
- Medications/vaccinations
- Exposure to certain illnesses
- Lifestyle and life events
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Travel outside the United States
There are
different types of blood donations:
- Whole Blood – The most flexible of donations. Whole blood is what flows through your blood vessels and can be donated every 56 days.
- Power Red Donation – A special machine allows you to safely donate 2 units of red blood cells. Can be done 2-3 times a year.
- Platelet Donation – Uses a machine that collects only platelets and returns the rest of your blood to you. Can be done every 7 days, up to 24 times a year.
- AB Elite Plasma Donation – A plasma only donation with type AB blood donors being the best candidates. Uses a high-tech machine that removes the plasma from your blood and returns your red blood cells and platelets back to you. Can be done every 28 days, up to 13 times a year.
Who can you
help by donating blood?
- Cancer patients
- Trauma patients
- Sickle cell patients
- Burn patients
- Chronic disease patients
January is
National Blood Donor Month to encourage people to give blood or pledge to give
blood in the new year. So why give blood? It feels good to give. You’ve helped
someone in need. It’s a wonderful thing to do for another human being. It can
help save a life or make a life better. It’s fun. Okay, maybe not fun, but it’s
not that bad. Once you make that first donation you’ll see the process is easy.
Whatever reason you can come up with for giving blood is a good one. Let’s make
giving blood a New Year’s resolution by going red in January. https://www.redcrossblood.org/
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