According to the American Red Cross, winter’s inclement weather and busy holiday schedules are two of the culprits that contribute to inadequate blood product supplies at the end of the year. The severe winter weather that swept through the U.S. just a few weeks ago caused cancellation of more than 300 Red Cross blood drives and 9,000 potential donations have gone uncollected. This year, the nation’s blood levels have dropped to uncomfortable levels and all are encouraged to donate. If you’re not medically able to do so, then please inspire others to donate.
In fact, in an article authored by National Today, your dog can donate too! It’s recommended to check with your veterinarian and the Humane Society to make sure you understand local rules and regulations. In addition, North Carolina State University’s Veterinary Hospital is recruiting dogs to participate in their blood donor program. If you’re interested, click here to find out if your canine meets the eligibility requirements to participate. What a great way to honor NBDM!
In addition to ‘donor dogs’, here are other interesting facts National Today mentions:
- According to the American Red Cross, approximately 38 percent of the U.S. population can donate blood; however, only 10 percent actually do
- Per Brookhaven National Laboratory, people who become donors as early as age 17 and donate every eight weeks would have donated 48 gallons of blood by age 76
- When a person donates, labs examine the donation for myriad infectious diseases, such as HIV and West Nile virus
- Each donor can potentially save three lives with donating just one pint of blood
Also check out The American Red Cross’ 50 Quick Facts missive. Here are a few of them:
- Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood
- The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O
- More than one million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment
- A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood
- Type O negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply
- Donors can give either whole blood or specific blood components only. The process of donating specific blood components – red cells, plasma, or platelets – is called apheresis
- Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma, and platelets. The body will replenish the elements given during a blood donation – some within hours and others in a matter of weeks.
- The number one reason donors say they give blood is because they “want to help others”
Although January has been designated as NBDM, blood donations are needed year-round. Dive into the links embedded in this article and aim to understand the enormous role you can play in saving someone’s life. We encourage you to release the rumors you may have heard that have deterred you from donating. Who knows, the life you save may be your own.