Go Red in January!

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

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-alphabetical.html

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.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations.html

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/