HSHS St. Francis Hospital issued the following announcement on Jan. 20.
Someone needs blood or a blood product every two seconds in the United States, and one out of every seven people who enter a hospital will need a blood product, according to Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC).
After the holiday season of giving, the MVRBC says blood and plasma donations become scarce. In a hospital setting this can mean patients in a wide range of circumstances can be limited in how much blood they receive.
Blood transfusions can be necessary for serious injuries, surgeries, childbirth, blood disorders, anemia and many other conditions and situations.
Plasma donations can be vital for patients with liver failure, severe infections and serious burns. Also, plasma donated by a recovered COVID-19 patient, known as convalescent plasma, can help others recover from the virus.
January is Blood Donor Awareness Month, a critical time to educate the public about the many benefits of being a blood or plasma donor, whether it’s once or on a regular basis.
Donations are important because there is no alternative for blood; it cannot be manufactured. Hospitals use blood every single day to help patients.
Here are four top reasons to consider making a life-saving blood donation part of your new year:
- A donation can save a life, or several lives if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma.
- Only 10% of eligible donors actually donate despite it being a safe and regulated process by the Food and Drug Administration and the American Association of Blood Banks.
- Before donating you will get a small health check (not to replace regular exams with your provider) that includes pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and iron levels; Also, once your blood is collected and sent to a lab, further testing is done to check for infectious diseases and you are notified immediately if there are concerns.
- Blood donation can improve your overall health; Research shows blood donors are 88 percent less likely than others to suffer a heart attack.
To find the next blood drive at HSHS St. Francis visit here.
All blood drives require donors make an appointment, no walk-ins. There must be 56 days between your last blood donation to be eligible. To find blood drives in your area and to schedule a donation time, visit bloodcenter.org. All donors will be required to wear a mask and present a photo ID.
Original source can be found here.
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