giving blood
There are countless stories told by people who have been helped by a blood donor they will never meet. Many of these stories include lives being saved by a one-time blood transfusion during childbirth, surgery, an accident or for so many other reasons. Other stories are of people who needed regular blood transfusions, including pediatric cancer patients who would not be alive today without this amazing gift of blood. In fact, “it is estimated that nine out of ten people who live to age 70 will require a blood transfusion,” according to NCH Healthcare System in Naples.
Remarkably, just one pint of blood can save up to three lives, says the American Red Cross. January is National Blood Donor month and the perfect time to start thinking about giving blood and/or plasma on a regular basis. Starting when my kids were young, my husband and I would take them to our local blood donation center so they could see their dad giving blood. Since then, they have been eager to hit the required blood donor age and are excited at the idea of helping to save lives. Why not take your child with you to see the blood donation process so you can get him used to the idea and take the mystery out of it?
There are several requirements that you must meet to be able to donate whole blood, platelets, plasma or double red cells. For example, you must be in good health, be at least 17 years of age (some states allow blood donation at age 16 with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. You will be asked a number of questions during an interview in a private room before being allowed to donate blood. There will be questions about your health history and about places you may have traveled or lived. Your pulse, blood pressure and temperature will be taken, as well as a small blood sample from your finger to check your hemoglobin levels.
You are permitted to donate on the following schedule:
• Whole blood every 56 days, this is so your body has time to replenish its own supply.
• Platelets every 7 days, up to 24 times per year.
• Plasma every 28 days.
• Double red cells every 112 days.
Your regular blood donation should only take about 10 minutes total and you get to relax during that time and chat, read, or even sometimes watch television. When you’re done, you will be taken to a snack area so you can have cookies and juice and rest for a bit. Don’t do anything too strenuous for the rest of the day. In giving just a pint of your blood you have just helped to save one or more lives!
Even though your child is probably too young to donate blood, one way to get your child involved is by hosting a blood drive at your work, church or child’s school or daycare. Simply contact your local blood center and find out how you can get the Bloodmobile to come to your location and then publicize it beforehand to get as many donors there as possible.
The Community Blood Center, an affiliate of the NCH Healthcare System, supplies hospitals in Collier County with life-saving blood products. When a donor gives the blood at any of the Community Blood Center locations in Naples, Bonita Springs or on the blue and white Community Blood Center bloodmobiles, he or she is helping to ensure adequate levels of blood products are available in area hospitals and ready for local patients, friends or family who suddenly need them.
For more information including a list of the bloodmobile sites for January, check www.nchmd.org or call (239) 624-4120.
Kerrie McLoughlin blogs at TheKerrieShow.com and is married to a man who donates his O negative blood on a regular basis.