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October 9, 2009 Every two seconds, someone in America needs a blood transfusion. This can be anyone from cancer patients and people with chronic diseases to accident victims. The American Red Cross estimates that 5 million recipients are transfused with blood components, including red blood cells, platelets and plasma, in the U.S. annually. For many medical procedures, it's impossible to determine how much blood will be needed, especially if complications arise. In addition, blood components have a very short shelf life, from five days for platelets, six weeks for red cells and one year for frozen plasma. That is why it's so important for an adequate supply of blood to be available on short notice, at any given time. To donate blood, you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks or donated double red cells in the last 16 weeks. "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control. Giving blood is extremely safe. Only sterile equipment is used, and a needle is never reused once it has drawn blood. It is also fairly convenient – the entire donation process only takes about an hour, and donations can be made at a donor center or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives. Finally, a new study published by the American Medical Association found that giving blood every six months led to fewer heart attacks and strokes in test participants ages 43 to 61. We all lead busy lives. But there is no substitute for human blood. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Give the gift of life, and make a donation. Local Blood Drives: Time: 11:30 AM - 5:15 PM Time: 10:00 AM - 3:45 PM Time: 1:00 PM - 6:45 PM Time: 1:00 PM - 6:45 PM |
