Blood Donors Needed

The need is constant.  The gratification is immediate. Give blood.TM

Did you know that one pint of donated blood can save the lives of three people? That every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion and the average red blood cell transfusion is approximately three pints? How about that less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood and that most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection?

The American Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors to roll up a sleeve and address a critical blood shortage across the nation. Many donors are busy or traveling, school is out of session and donations have dropped dramatically. In May and June, while demand for blood products remained steady, donations were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen during this timeframe in over a dozen years. Because of that, the Red Cross needs blood donors now more than ever. All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.

I donated today at the Portuguese Club and enjoyed the air conditioning for 75 minutes.  The Red Cross has streamlined the process and having an appointment usually shortens the wait time a little. Walk-ins are accepted and they are called after three donors with appointments are taken. The staff was having trouble with the printer attached to the laptops, so all my paperwork had to be done manually, as it was in the old days when I began to donate. I first tried to donate at my high school blood drive, but was deferred (a nice way of saying rejected) for having recently taken an antibiotic. Then after I had my first child, I felt a calling to try again. I enjoyed taking my little ones along; the older volunteers were always happy to entertain them in their strollers. My favorite experience was when I went to a blood drive at Naugatuck High School while on maternity leave.  I walked up to the check-in table and the volunteer asked me “Are you a senior?” That was three gallon pins ago; now I try to donate three to four times a year at one of the drives held in the borough every two months. If you make an appointment before you leave the canteen (oh yes, they feed you before you leave!) the Red Cross calls to remind you and if you don’t, they sometimes call to help you make one.

If you are considering making a donation, remember these eligibility requirements: You must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. There is a short list of medications that you cannot be taking.  Be prepared to answer a bunch of personal questions, usually on a laptop. You must have approximately one hour and fifteen minutes to spend at the blood drive. You can make an appointment to donate and learn much more at the Red Cross website

Donating blood is completely safe. You will have a finger stick so that your iron can be tested and then a new needle is inserted in your arm for the donation process. You will leave with two band-aids and a feeling of having done something good for others. Donors who donate during July receive a coupon for a free carton of Friendly’s ice cream. I will be redeeming mine soon.