Every two seconds, somebody needs a blood transfusion. That adds up to about 30 people a minute—and 15 million people a year. The University of Maryland Medical Center estimates it uses 36,000 units of blood annually.
These transfusions might be because a patient is undergoing surgery, is receiving cancer treatment, has a blood disorder, or was hurt in a serious accident. Whatever the reason for the transfusion, however, the need doesn’t go away simply because of a pandemic.
But with social distancing and other restrictions, many blood drives throughout 2020 and the early part of 2021 had to be cancelled, resulting in 30 percent fewer donations and what the American Red Cross deems a “critical” blood shortage. And because blood has a shelf life of only 42 days, there’s no way to stockpile blood for times such as these.
This is why the American Red Cross is calling on every person eligible to give blood to seek out a blood drive and donate.
“But,” you might think, “I’ve never given blood before. I don’t know the first thing about it.”
Despite how intimidating it might be to think about withdrawing a quart of blood from your veins, giving blood is a safe and painless good deed you can do in as little time as a half-hour. Still a little wary? Here’s what you should know:
Your blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, cellular fragments called platelets, and the liquid part called plasma. Each part plays an important function in the human body, and each is needed by a specific type of patient. Chemotherapy patients will need platelets because their body isn’t able to make enough on its own. On the other hand, a burn victim will need plasma in order to maintain proper blood pressure and other vital bodily functions.
Most blood drives during the pandemic have been by appointment only in an effort to eliminate lines or unnecessary waiting. Nobody needs a special reason to give blood—as long as you pass certain health screenings and have not donated within the past 10 weeks, you’re eligible.
If you’re donating blood, you should drink an extra 16 ounces of water before your appointment and, if possible, eat a nutritious meal. You’ll also want to eat and drink after donating to replenish fluids and nutrients. Be prepared to avoid any strenuous activity for the rest of the day; however, most of your usual activities you can resume without any problem.
Donating blood even offers benefits for the giver. Your mini health screening leading up to your donation can reveal potential problems like anemia or high blood pressure. If you have excess iron stores—formally known as hemochromatosis—donating blood will alleviate the constriction of your blood vessels created by high iron levels, thus reducing your risk of a heart attack.
Right now, the American Red Cross is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Plasma containing these antibodies can be used to help patients who are currently battling COVID and are in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. (So if you know you have had a case of COVID and are fully recovered, seek out a chance to donate—your plasma is in need!)
Want to learn more about donating blood or to seek out a blood drive near you? Visit the American Red Cross online at www.redcross.org.
