The entire month of January is dedicated as National Blood Donor Month. Blood donations tend to decrease during the winter months due to colder temperatures, the holidays and cold and flu season. But blood donations are critical now more than ever! |
As the COVID pandemic flexes its strain on the health care system, the American Red Cross is calling for action as the country is facing one the worst blood shortages in history. This shortage is posing a risk to patient care. Healthcare providers are having to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will have to wait. |
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Donating blood saves lives. Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood (American Red Cross, 2022). Blood can only be stored for 42 days after it is donated, so a constant replenishment of blood supply is needed (One Blood, 2022). Blood also cannot be manufactured outside of the body, so volunteer donors are needed.
Blood transfusions are needed for a number of different reasons including patients undergoing cancer treatments, accident victims and surgeries. Roughly 37% of the population meet the criteria to donate blood, but only 5% actually donate (One Blood, 2022). |
Red Cross at Jackson College
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Jackson College has been actively involved in hosting blood drives at Central Campus.
Below is a list of the upcoming dates that the Red Cross will be hosting drives on Central Campus:
| • | Wednesday 1/18/23 |
| • | Wednesday 3/22/23 |
| • | Wednesday 5/24/23 |
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Benefits of donating blood include:
| • | Physical Exam- before you can donate, healthcare providers will check your vital signs and medical history to make sure you are well enough to donate. If you pass and you are able to donate, your blood will then be screened for infectious disease and blood typing (Health Matters, 2022).
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| • | Studies have shown that those who donate blood on a regular basis have a lower risk of heart attacks and lower blood pressure (Health Matters, 2022).
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| • | It feels good to help those in need. Altruism and volunteering has been linked to positive health outcomes and lower risk for depression. (Health Matters, 2022). |
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To ensure the safety of both patients and donors, there are some requirements donors must meet to be eligible to donate blood based on their donation type. Visit the Red Cross website to explore the blood donation eligibility requirements. |
Current blood shortages are leading to delays in critical blood transfusions for people in need. One blood donation can save up to three lives (Red Cross, 2022). The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O (Red Cross, 2022). Help ensure that this lifesaving resource is readily available to those in need, donate today! |
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