By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. That is a shocking statistic. Thankfully, there are more than 7 million blood donors in America. As we take a moment to thank them this National Blood Donor Month, we also want to encourage YOU to roll up your sleeve and donate to help save lives.
Another surprising statistic: one in seven patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion. This is one of the most common hospital procedures in the U.S. Unlike other treatments, blood cannot be stockpiled or manufactured − it can only come from volunteer blood donors.
Unfortunately, only 3% of the public gives blood, which only takes an hour of your time. As long as you meet the basic eligibility criteria, you can donate every 56 days. The basic criteria include:
• You must be in good health and feeling well.
• You must be at least 16 years old in most states.
• You must weigh at least 110 lbs.
There are some additional eligibility criteria, including certain medications, medical conditions, travel to certain countries, and personal history. You can learn more and check your eligibility at www.redcrossblood.org
I am excited by recent action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to change its eligibility requirements for individuals who were previously deferred from donating blood because they lived, or were stationed, in certain countries outside of the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s. This change allowed back hundreds of thousands of individuals now eligible to donate blood. This included many of our nation’s veterans and many of our friends and neighbors here in Greenwich, including my husband Gary, who grew up in England. Once he was eligible, he quickly rolled up his sleeve at the Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center, which is located our Chapter Headquarters at 99 Indian Field Road in Greenwich and makes it easy to set a regular schedule to donate. You can donate whole blood once every 56 days.
Winter is an especially difficult time to collect lifesaving blood. Inclement weather, holiday travel, and an increase in illness often limit the number of eligible donors. That is why if you are healthy and eligible, I encourage you to make an appointment in the new year. To schedule an appointment, please visit www.RedCrossBlood.org or call +1.800.RED CROSS (+1.800.733.2767)
During January, in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), those who come to give Jan. 1-31, 2023, will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona! The winner and their guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Phoenix, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 10-13, 2023), plus a $500 gift card for expenses. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
Everyone knows someone whose life has been changed through a blood transfusion. By rolling up your sleeve, you can help ensure future patients thrive.
