Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood donation. Whether it’s for surgery, cancer treatment, childbirth, serious injuries, or an illness, blood donation helps sustain people around the country.
Now is time to recognize and thank the generous people who donate blood. The winter months can increase the need for donations with COVID-19, flu, and RSV. If you haven’t donated blood before or haven’t in a long time, consider donating today.
Many conditions can affect the nation’s blood supply. Even with the recent winter storms, ImpactLife (the blood provider for 125 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin) estimates that they lost more than 1,000 donations due to the storm and weather-related conditions.
Blood products are perishable and must be used for transfusion within a short window of time (for red blood cells, that’s 42 days after donation). Blood banks strive to keep a 5-day supply in their inventories to meet anticipated and unanticipated needs. Currently most blood products and types are less than 3-day supply. The most critical products of Type O, Type AB and all types of platelets are only 1-2 days supply.
Not all blood is alike. There are eight different types of blood, which are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens. Some antigens can trigger a patient’s immune system to attack the transfused or donated blood. Safe transfusions depend on careful blood typing and matching. The blood type that is most in demand is O negative, the universal blood type. This type plays a critical role in trauma or disaster situations because it can be immediately transfused as a short-term solution to the most amount of people.
Donors, especially those who donate regularly, keep our nation’s blood supply stable. Although many people donate blood after disasters, patients need blood year-round. Shortages in the nation’s blood supply can happen at any time. If you are eligible to donate blood, make an appointment to donate today. Donating blood just once can help save more than one life. It’s even more impactful if you can donate regularly!
People who donate blood regularly are sustaining life for many. There’s no substitution for blood donation and many people who are eligible to donate blood, don’t.
You may not realize you’re eligible for blood donation. Here is a quick guide:
- You are not feeling sick and are in good health
- You are 17 years of age. In some states, you can donate blood if you are 16 years old and have parental consent
- You weigh at least 110 pounds
- You have not donated blood in the past 56 days
You may think you can’t donate because of a pre-existing condition. If you’re managing your condition, you are probably eligible for donation. You can also donate blood if you have the following:
- Asthma, as long as it’s well treated, with no current shortness of breath
- Diabetes, as long as it’s well treated with diet and/or medications
- Heart disease, as long as you have not had a change in your heart condition for 3 months
- Tattoos and piercings, if 3 months have passed since you got them
In 2023, the FDA released their Final Guidance on blood and plasma donations, when they replaced the 3-month deferral for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men with an individual risk assessment where all blood donors are asked the same questions, regardless of their identity.
If you’re looking to make a blood donation, there are frequent blood drives happening at schools, churches, and hospitals. Thank you to the people who donate blood regularly. You are sustaining life.
