Blood Donation Awareness and Impact

Eligibility Criteria for Blood Donation

  • You must be:
    • At least 17 years old
    • Weigh more than 110 pounds
    • Considered fairly healthy

Current Statistics

  • Only 50% of surveyed individuals have ever donated blood.
  • Only 1 in 13 individuals donates blood on a regular basis.
  • Serious lack of eligible blood donors can threaten lives.

Importance of Blood Donations

  • Blood is needed continuously:
    • A person in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every 3 seconds.
    • This amounts to approximately 3,000 gallons of blood every hour.
  • Beneficiaries include:
    • Cancer patients
    • Organ transplant patients
    • Surgical patients
    • Premature infants
    • Trauma victims

Case Study: Brooke

  • Brooke: 3-year-old girl with cancer and major surgery history.
  • Needs 508 units of blood for treatment, only 250 units have been replaced; 250 remain needed.
  • Lack of blood could result in her not reaching significant life events like attending kindergarten.

Concerning Trends

  • Only 1 in 20 eligible Americans donates blood.
  • Annual donor rate is declining by 2%.
  • Nearly half of people will require blood in their lifetime.

The Donation Process

  • Steps to donate:

    1. Fill out the donor information form.
    2. Undergo a mini physical:
    • Blood sample to check red cell percentage.
    • Measure blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
    1. Choose which arm to donate from; clean area before insertion of sterile needle.
    2. Blood donation takes about 10 minutes, followed by a 10-15 minute recovery period with juice and cookies.

  • Safety Assurances:

    • No risk of contracting AIDS from the donation process.
    • Pain is minimal; described as a brief scratch.

Impact of Donations

  • Every unit of blood can save up to 3 lives.
  • Blood is separated into:
    • Red blood cells for anemia treatment.
    • White blood cells to combat infections.
    • Platelets to control bleeding and for cancer patients.
  • Potential to save many lives:
    • 6 donations per year could save 18 people.
    • Over 10 years, can potentially save up to 180 lives.

Call to Action

  • Donating blood takes only 45 minutes but has a profound impact.
  • Encourage first-time donors to be proud to receive "I am a first time Blood Donor" sticker.
  • Reflect on loved ones who might need blood in emergencies.
  • Upcoming blood drives on campus, including the OG Residence hall in two weeks.
  • Make a difference: Go to the nearest Red Cross or campus blood drive to donate.