January is blood donation month. Approximately 4.5 million people will need blood this year. Every 2 seconds, someone in the US needs blood. Donating blood is a very simple process and actually only takes about 10 minutes. All blood types are needed. If you are O negative, you are considered the “Universal Donor” and your blood can be given to anyone. The donation size is approximately 500cc or (1) pint. Your body replaces the volume within 24 – 48 hours and the red blood cells within 12 weeks. Your one donation can help up to three people. All donations are being tested for COVID-19 antibodies.
Who Can Benefit from your donation?
- People going through disasters or emergency situations
- People needing blood during major surgeries
- People having gastrointestinal bleeding
- Women with serious complications during pregnancy or childbirth
- People with cancer or severe anemia sometimes caused by thalassemia or sickle cell disease
- If you were ill with COVID-19 and have fully recovered your plasma may help seriously ill patients hospitalized with COVID -19. It is recommended waiting 14 to 28 days after full recovery before donating blood. (donor site will discuss)
Am I eligible to Donate Blood?
To ensure the safety of both patient and donor there are requirements donors must meet: A donor:
- Must be in good health and feeling well
- Must be at least 16 years of old (parental consent required)
- Must weigh at least 110 pounds
- Last donation must be greater than 56 days ago
You may be eligible to donate blood even if you were deferred in the past. You need to discuss with donor site staff and/or your health care provider. Blood donation makes a big difference in the lives of so many people. Some of these people could be your fellow parishioners. The Red Cross states, “Blood donors report feeling a sense of great satisfaction after making their blood donation.” Consider giving someone the gift of life today by being a donor hero.
For more information: www.redcrossblood.org