Blood Donation

Do Something Different This Year — Give Blood

What New Year’s resolutions did you make? Did you resolve to lose weight? Quit smoking? Find a job? Be a better spouse? Something else?

How’s that going for you?

If your New Year’s resolution is already off-track, here’s a better one to try. It’s simple, it’ll make you feel good, and it’ll save people’s lives.

This year, resolve to help others

If you have no health issues, are 17 years old or older, and are within certain weight and height ranges, you meet all the requirements to be a blood donor.

People don’t stop getting into accidents. And they don’t stop needing treatment for serious illnesses, diseases and trauma. But many of them do need donated blood to help them recover. And it’s not just a few people who need it. Right now over 39,000 pints of blood are needed to meet demand. And at least 39,000 pints will be needed to meet tomorrow’s demand, and another 39,000+ will be needed the day after that, and every day after that for the rest of the year.

The people who need blood rely on generous donations from people like you and me. There’s an urgent need for type O negative blood and type B negative, but all types of donated blood will help.

Donated blood is also used to help individuals in need of platelets. Because of their ability to stick together, platelets cause blood to clot. Cancer patients, leukemia patients, burn victims, babies needing intensive care, and people with lots of other serious diseases all benefit from the donated platelets used in their treatments. Problem is, platelets are unusable after just a short period of time, only 5 days. A constant donated supply is the only way to keep up with demand.


Why give blood?

The thought of giving blood makes some people squeamish. Images of needles and blood are an instant turn-off, so they pass up the opportunity to help where help is desperately needed. But giving blood isn’t that big of a deal. It barely hurts and you don’t even have to watch. You just lie down and relax while someone else does all the work. In a few minutes, it’s all over.

And you get something sweet like cookies and juice afterwards to help bring your blood-sugar level back to normal. But that’s not all you get.

• You get a good feeling knowing you did something that will help others.
• You might even get free gifts. In the past I’ve gotten free t-shirts and hats, and free or discounted admission tickets to area theme parks and special events from the blood donor organization in my area.
• You get instant gratification—something you probably aren’t getting from your other resolutions.
• And you get to donate blood several times this year. Donations of blood are allowed every 56 days; donations of platelets every 7 days.

Find out how you can donate by visiting www.redcrossblood.org or calling (800) GIVE-LIFE.