As a
blood donor, you can help save up to 18 lives per year.
That's because you can donate blood 6 times annually and
each blood donation is processed into components (e.g., red blood cells,
plasma, and platelets) that can save the lives of 3 different people with
different needs.
Yet, while 60 percent of the U.S. population is
eligible to donate blood, only 5% do.
Why do so many eligible people fail to become blood donors?
The most common excuse is, "Because nobody asked me."
So, we're asking...
please become a blood donor. And then, please continue donating blood as soon as you
become re-eligible, every 8 weeks (56 days).
After registering during your first trip to a blood donor
center, subsequent visits will be shorter. You'll breeze through a few questions
and a quick check of your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and blood count.
Then, after a brief needle prick, it's just a matter of sitting quietly for
about 10 minutes while your blood donation is collected. You can use that time
to imagine the 3 people your blood donation will save: perhaps a mother
suffering complications during childbirth, and a child struck by a car, and a
grandfather undergoing heart surgery.
As soon as you're ready after your blood donation, feel
free to help yourself to orange juice and cookies on the way out.
Check the
blood donor eligibility guidelines. If you're
eligible to donate blood...
-
Schedule a
blood donation
appointment online or call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVELIFE.
Alternatively, find an
America's Blood Center near you.
-
Set-up
blood donor reminders via email to keep track of
your blood donation schedule.
-
Forward this article to the
editors of local high school and college
newspapers with a note urging them to let their
readers know that the minimum age for blood donation
is only 17.
-
Since blood donations are
usually low during the winter holidays, include a
red heart in your seasonal cards urging friends and
family to give the gift of life by donating blood.
If you have a little more time,
please consider
organizing a blood drive. If you're
expecting a child, please consider
cord blood
donation.
