Participating in World Blood Donor Day Can Save Countless Lives
Did you know 4.5 million Americans are saved every year by blood transfusions? That’s why every June 14th “World Blood Donor Day” is celebrated to honor the heroic blood donors and raise awareness for continued donations. Family HealthCare Associates encourages all our qualified patients to make a donation this June to ensure that all Texans (and people around the world) have access to safe blood. All you need to donate blood is to meet the following criteria.
Criteria for Donating Blood In Texas
- Be in good health and feeling well
- Be 16-years-old, and weigh 125 lbs. or more (with signed parental permission).
- Be 17-years-old, and weight 125 lbs. or more
- Be 18-years-old, and weigh 110 lbs. or more
No matter the type of transfusion you give, all of them are critical in saving someone’s life. Eight hundred mothers die every day from childbirth-related complications (many from severe bleeding) according to the World Health Organization. In addition, anemic patients, people with cancer, individuals who need trauma surgery, and patients with blood and bone marrow disorders, often need transfusions. Here are the four types of blood donations you can give someone in need today.
Types of Blood Donations
Whole Blood Donation: Frequently given to trauma patients in need of surgery, whole blood donations can also be separated into red cells, plasma and platelets to help multiple people in need. A whole blood donation only takes about one hour. All blood types are welcome.
Power Red Donation: Typically given to trauma patients, individuals in need of emergency transfusions, newborns, or people with sickle cell anemia. Donors give a concentrated dose of their red cells, which is the part of blood used for transfusions. It usually takes about one and a half hours to make a donation; ideal blood types are O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative.
Platelet Donation: A key part of cancer treatments, organ transplants, or people facing life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. One platelet donation can yield several transfusable units and it usually takes around three hours to make a donation. People with A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive and AB negative blood are needed.
Plasma Donation: Used in emergency and trauma situations to help stop bleeding, it usually takes an hour and 15 minutes to make a plasma donation. People who have AB positive, AB negative blood are ideal donors of plasma.
Can You Donate Blood If You Had The Covid Vaccine?
Absolutely, but times for donations may vary depending on what brand vaccine you received. You’ll need to provide the manufacturer name when you come to donate. In most cases, there is no deferral time as long as you are symptom-free and feeling well at the time of donation. If you have eligibility questions, call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Give Blood And Make The World A Healthier Place
Blood transfusions are only possible because donors like you are giving blood; it’s not too late to be someone’s hero. All of us at Family Healthcare Associates believe everyone should have access to safe blood, so do your part and register as a blood donor today. Someone in need will put your life saving donation to good use. Find out where you can donate blood here.
Sources
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor-day/2020/key-messages
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Blood_Donor_Day
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html
https://www.inceptsaves.com/blog/2016/9/2/celebrity-blood-donors
https://www.carterbloodcare.org/blood-transfusions-are-vital-to-saving-lives/