Do you know what one out of every three people need at some point in their lifetime? Or what must be available to fill a need every 3 seconds in this country? The answer to both of these questions is blood. During this season of giving, we should pause to consider giving one more time – by donating one hour of our time, we literally would be giving the gift of life.
Even though the need for blood exists all year long, there are certain periods when the level of donations falls off. Many times, this shortfall occurs when the demand for blood is the highest. The most common times that blood supplies run low are during summer vacation months and during the winter holidays. Blood shortages occur when the supply of blood falls below the optimal 3-day supply. Unfortunately, increased travel and entertaining during the holiday season often results in higher incidence of trauma cases requiring blood. At the same time, we are all pressed for time as we cook, shop, wrap, decorate, and do all the little things to make the holidays special. Giving up an hour of our time to donate blood during the holidays just does not occur to most of us. To increase awareness of the constant need for blood and to help replenish low supplies after the holidays, January has been designated as Blood Donor Month.
Every year, 4.5 million American lives are saved by blood transfusions. Every minute, 3 gallons of blood are used in the United States. And for every pint of blood donated, three lives can be saved. But while 60% of the population of this country is eligible to give blood, only 5% actually do.
Giving blood is a safe, relatively painless procedure. Potential donors need not fear becoming ill from donating blood, because each needle used is sterile and disposed of after one use. Receiving donated blood is also safe; all blood is tested for several diseases before it is used. To become a blood donor, you must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. Most states require donors to be at least 17 years old, although 16 year olds may donate in some states. There are no upper age limits for giving blood. It is safe to give a pint of blood as often as every 8 weeks.
The actual time spent giving blood is about 10 minutes. The entire procedure includes registration, completing a health history, checking your temperature, blood pressure, and iron level, donating the blood, and a stop at the canteen for a refreshment.
Most blood donors tend to give a pint of whole blood. Once blood has been donated, it is processed and available for use 24-48 hours later. Whole blood is broken down into various components: red cells, which may be stored up to 42 days, platelets, which have a 5-day shelf life, and plasma, which can be frozen and stored for up to 12 months. The red cells are needed to bring oxygen to tissue and organs, platelets are required for blood to clot, white cells fight infections, and plasma provides a mixture of water, salts, and proteins.
Another type of blood donation is possible, called apheresis. In this process, only a specific component of the blood is donated, such as platelets. This procedure takes longer, about 2 hours, and is very similar to the whole blood donation process. Apheresis allows for the collection of a greater number of the desired component than is possible when one unit of whole blood is donated. For example, without apheresis, one blood transfusion would require 5 to 10 donors to collect enough platelets. Now, it is possible to collect all the needed platelets from just one donor, and the rest of the blood is returned to that donor once the platelets have been separated out.
As previously stated, about 40% of the population should not give blood. People who should not give blood include anyone with AIDS or one of its symptoms, anyone who has had a tattoo within the past 12 months, anyone who had hepatitis after age 11, anyone who contracted malaria within the past 3 years, anyone who has been raped within the past 12 months, and anyone who snorts street drugs, such as cocaine. There are additional illnesses and lifestyles that will preclude someone from donating blood as well, so it is important that complete information be given during the medical history portion of the donation process.
To find out how to be a blood donor or to learn about upcoming blood donation sites, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, or look on-line at www.givelife.org. Further information may also be obtained at the Central Connecticut Health District at 721-2822.