Without blood transfusions 4.5 million Americans would die each year. Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used every day in the U.S. That breaks down to one out of 10 people entering the hospital needing blood every three seconds. These are startling statistics, but if blood donors gave two to four times a year, it would decrease blood shortages significantly. Yet, what is an amazing fact is that one pint of blood can save up to three people.
Without blood transfusions 4.5 million Americans would die each year. Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used every day in the U.S. That breaks down to one out of 10 people entering the hospital needing blood every three seconds. These are startling statistics, but if blood donors gave two to four times a year, it would decrease blood shortages significantly. Yet, what is an amazing fact is that one pint of blood can save up to three people.
January is National Blood Donor Month and for those who donate blood regularly, they understand the importance of this life-giving act of kindness. Many do so because they saw firsthand how a blood transfusion saved the life of a loved one and others do so just because they understand the importance of this precious gift. January was chosen for a reason. The American Red Cross states that it is the most difficult month to get people to donate. It has to do with many factors, holiday schedules, flu season and changing weather, but a local Red Cross requires about 650 donors every day to meet the needs of patients (based on 41 hospitals in the area).
This year, there has been a 10 percent drop in donations. The Red Cross is urging people to donate during the month of January, but remember that this is an ongoing drive throughout the year to save many lives.
On Dec. 23, 2014 the Food and Drug Administration announced that it would lift the ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men after three decades of the ban. There is still a loophole due to the mutation of the HIV virus. They must have not had same-sex within a 12-month period. This is a major step forward. Testing has evolved tremendously and it also is the beginning of lifting what many feel is a policy of discrimination. It surely is a start as this allows many more donors to give the gift of life to others. When placing the ban originally, tests for the virus were slow and inaccurate, but today the virus can be detected in as little as nine days after infection.
This is just one way that people can give back to the community and our local Red Cross is having several drives to bring awareness to the shortages and get more donors through the doors. East County has several blood drives coming up giving many a chance to donate. And as we get notices of local drives, we post them on our calendar of events. If you want to donate, but cannot make any of these drives, visit www.redcross.or/blood, place your zip code and find the nearest donation center.
On Sunday, Jan. 25, there is a blood drive at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 13208 Lakeshore Dr., Lakeside, from 7:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. On the same day from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. there is a blood Drive at the Journey Community Church, 8363 Center Dr., La Mesa.
On Saturday, Jan. 31 the Souplantation, 9158 Fletcher Pkwy, La Mesa is holding a blood drive from 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This might be just the beginning for some whom have never given blood before, but the process is easy and painless and most of all life saving. Ask anyone that donates blood regularly and they can tell you the joy and satisfaction that they receive, not only from the Red Cross, but in knowing that this charitable gift is the gift of life.
Remember also, that one day it might be you that needs the gift of life from a blood donor.
