National Blood Donor Month - Commit to Help Save Lives

By Carly Flumer, Volunteer

January is National Blood Donor Month, the perfect time to resolve to be a regular blood donor and help save lives. The American Red Cross urges people to share their good health and resolve to give blood regularly, beginning in January with National Blood Donor Month. 

We can all think of easy, simple ways to help someone, whether it be through random acts of kindness, such as letting someone ahead of us in line, or even lending a listening ear to someone who needs it most. But did you know that there’s also a simple and easy way to save someone’s life? It all starts with your blood - bet you didn’t think of that!

Donating blood through the Red Cross helps all types of people, both young and old. From cancer patients to accident and burn victims, to those undergoing a heart surgery or an organ transplant, your donation will help someone in need in a heart-felt way that makes a lasting difference in their life.

Watch Marquita’s story for example. 🎥
She was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when she was born, and requires blood cell transfusions every 6 months.

Or look at the amazing Hannah 🎥, a 16-year-old cancer fighter, who is surviving on blood donations.

When you donate blood, you not only help patients like these, but you give back to your community. Plus, all different types of blood products are needed, including whole blood and platelets, so your donation will go far in making a difference.

To watch more compelling stories, visit the Red Cross’s YouTube page, or to find out more information about donating blood visit the Red Cross’s Blood Services homepage where you can schedule an appointment at your nearest donation center.

My Day at a Red Cross Blood Drive: Sandy Habib

By Sandy Habib, Volunteer

The American Red Cross urges people to share their good health and resolve to give blood regularly, beginning in January with National Blood Donor Month. Extreme winter weather in some parts of the country and seasonal illnesses often make it difficult for the American Red Cross to maintain a sufficient blood supply at this time of year. Healthy individuals are urged to give now. 

It’s widely known that the American Red Cross is in continuous need of blood donations. Winter, however, is an especially challenging time for the Red Cross to meet its blood demands for many reasons. Regular donors are often busy with the holidays and travel plans. Harsh winter weather and widespread cases of the flu can also be obstacles. The fact is, though, that the Red Cross must collect more than 2,500 platelet and about 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide. These blood products are perishable and need to be distributed to hospitals quickly, so it’s imperative that donors continue giving blood year-round to avoid delays in essential medical care.

Giving blood is a rewarding experience for those who are able to do their part and help patients in need. There are many of us, though, who, for a whole host of reasons, cannot donate blood. That doesn’t mean that we can’t make contributions in other ways. For example, on January 10, 2019, I was a Blood Donor Ambassador at a blood drive at the Red Cross office at 123 N. Alfred Street in Alexandria.

Here I am greeting donors as they arrive. This is a rewarding volunteer role
for anyone with free time on weekday afternoons (or some weekends).

As Ambassador, I greeted donors as they arrived and thanked them for coming in. Then I signed them in and provided them with their blood donation information. There was usually time before the donors were called in, so I had the opportunity to chat with them. I met one gentleman who has donated close to 100 times – incredible! I also spoke to some high school students who were excited about donating for the first time. Everyone was friendly and courteous, and I really enjoyed getting to meet all the donors. I commended them all on their selfless act of giving blood.

Like the donors, the staff was very sociable. They were professional, yet charismatic. They played lively music in the background which created a comfortable environment, putting donors at ease. My watch indicated that I volunteered for 3.5 hours, but since I spent the time with so many wonderful people, it felt as though it was about half of that.

The Red Cross blood staff works hard to make sure that facilities
are clean and comfortable for donors. This is the blood drive room
at the Red Cross office in Alexandria, VA. 

Even if you can’t donate blood, there are other ways you can help the cause. Like me, you can volunteer your time at a blood drive. You can make a financial donation. Maybe you can leverage your social media presence to donate your birthday/special occasion, honor someone special or start a virtual drive for your organization to encourage others to donate blood and/or money.  Even better, if you have a large, open space to host a blood drive, you can have up to 50 of your friends/colleagues/family members donate blood in a single day! There are many ways to make an important impact and promote blood drives in your community. The key is to find what works best for you and commit to helping the Red Cross.

Go to www.redcrossblood.org to learn more about how you can donate blood to help the Red Cross save lives.

To host a blood drive, go to the “Hosting a Blood Drive” or click here to learn more and apply!

How Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo Donated Enough Blood to Fill a Car’s Gas Tank

By Ian Seth Levine, Volunteer

Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has donated enough blood to fill the gas tank of the fortwo-model car from Mercedes-Benz. And just in case he must donate to you or me one day, he has also forsaken alcohol, cigarettes, and tattoos. The likelihood we will need need his blood is stronger than you might think. In the U.S., someone needs blood every two seconds. By the time you finish reading this paragraph, twelve people will need donors like you and me. But we don’t have the same time, money, or energy as Cristiano to warrant regular donations, right? There are only ten steps for donating blood, and the bulk of them is in the preparation. Every time Cristiano prepares to donate blood, he does five things:

1. Make an appointment using Rapid Pass®.

2. Abstain from aspirin for two days before the appointment.

3. Drink an extra 16 oz. of water (or other non-alcoholic drink); and eat a healthy, iron-rich meal --avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries, and ice cream.

4. Bring a list of current medications and a photo ID.

5. Wear a shirt with sleeves that can roll up above the elbows.

Before we even wake up, Cristiano plunges himself into an ice bath. He exercises for four hours a day, five days a week. He sleeps a solid eight hours, eats small meals every two hours, and swelters in twenty-minute baths. He psychs himself up by staring into the mirror. In fact, his teammates say he’s always training. And yet, he still finds eight minutes of his time to donate to patients like Lindsey, Brian, Markita, Niki, and Emily.

Source: Singapore Red Cross “BE THE 1” campaign

Cristiano is worth $450 million. It’s easy to say that (unlike him) we can’t afford to lose money from missing work. However, many employers allow their employees up to four hours to donate blood without charge to leave or loss of pay. So, depending upon your employer, step six could be a fantastic opportunity to donate (and possibly get paid for doing so). Compensated or not, Cristiano has been donating whole blood every fifty-six days for the last nine years. That’s over seven gallons of whole blood.  Join him, and…

6. Donate.

Although Cristiano is in his thirties, his teammates say he has the energy of a man ten years younger.  It might seem that as a star athlete, he can expel more energy than you and me. But with Rapid Pass® from the American Red Cross, you can schedule your donation faster than it takes him to finish his patented ab workout. And before you can say “World Cup”, you’ll be completing the final four steps of blood donation:

Source: Men's Health UK

7. Enjoy a snack.

8. Tell others about your good deed.

9. Abstain from heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.

10. Call 1-866-236-3276 to report additional health information or request medical care after donation.

For more information and to schedule an appointment to donate blood: www.redcrossblood.org.

Blood Donation 101

By Carly Flumer, Volunteer

Imgine yur helth cre eing delyed ecuse yur bld type ws missing frm hspitl shelves. That sentence was kind of hard to decipher, right? Well, it highlights the three main blood types, A, B, and O, that are always in need. And right now, there’s simply not enough people donating. The Miller-Keystone Blood Center cites the Top 10 Excuses for Not Donating Blood, with the number one reason being afraid of needles.

Past blood donors have mentioned that they “only felt a pinch.” Plus, the good that you’re doing by donating a pint, including saving up to three lives, easily outweighs the tiny prick. However, if you’re still not convinced, the American Red Cross’s Red Cross Chat has a blog post dedicated to “How to Donate Blood for Newbies and Needle-Haters.” Another reason is people believe that their blood type isn’t in demand.

While it’s true that blood centers often run short of types A, B, and O, all blood types are accepted, including plasma and platelets.

Now are you ready to give? Great! Here’s how to do so:

1) First, you must:

• Be in good health/feeling well
• Be at least 17 years old (16 in some states with parental consent)
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• Have not donated within the last 56 days.

2) Find your nearest blood drive location by going to: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.

3) When you arrive, you will be asked to read some information as well as provide a photo ID.

4) You will then be asked to answer questions online or in a private interview and receive a health check.

5) After, you will be seated comfortably for your donation where a pint of blood will be drawn. It will take approximately 8-10 minutes.

6) After donating, you may enjoy a drink and a snack for about 10-15 minutes before returning to the rest of your day.

7) Your blood is then tested and sent to a patient in need! If you donate through the Blood Donor App, you will be able to track your blood's journey!

To learn more about what happens with your donated blood, please visit: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood.html

We thank you for your donation!

Donating Blood - Simple as 1,2,3!

By Hailie Duenkel, Volunteer

Undoubtedly, you are somewhat familiar with the American Red Cross and the blood donation program, and chances are you have given blood once in your life. This was probably done by the Red Cross coming to your school or workplace, and you most likely haven’t thought much about it since.

This summer, the Red Cross is teaming up with brands like G__gle, P_yP_l, and D_min_’s, to spread the word on the #MissingType movement to help the public take notice of the ongoing need for blood donors. As you can see, the A’s, B’s, and O’s are missing from these name brands, along with other celebrities and influential companies in order to display the vital role a single blood donor makes. A single blood donation can save up to three lives!

Following World War II, the Red Cross presented the first ever United States civilian blood drive platform, which now is responsible for over 40 percent of all blood donation in the country. By donating, you are joining thousands of volunteers and decades of history in making a difference in countless lives.

Universal History Archive/UIG—Getty Images

Unfortunately, many people do not know how to donate blood on their own outside of a sponsored blood drive. There are more than 600 Red Cross chapters in the United States, with more than 500,000 volunteers, and 35,000 employees ready to assist you in the selfless process of giving blood. To find a location near you, visit the Red Cross website and you will find several blood donation centers in your area. 

Common reasons people give for not donating are shortage on time, fear of needles and not understanding what happens during the donation process. Below are steps on what to expect your first time giving blood:

• Registration: A Red Cross employee will ask for a form of ID and go over the basic process and eligibility. 
• Health History: An employee will ask questions regarding your health history, medications taken, places traveled, etc. They will then do an exam where they will take your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin level to determine if you are in proper health to donate.
• The Donation Process: An employee will clean and sanitize your arm and insert a new, sterile needle. (The needle feels like a small pinch and only takes a few seconds.) 
• Whole Blood Donation: This process removes about 1 pint of blood directly from your arm, totaling about 8-10 minutes.
• Platelets: Donating platelets uses an apheresis machine which removes your blood, takes the platelets, and then puts the blood back into your arm. This process takes about 2 hours to complete.

• Recovery: After the donation process, you will rest for about 10-15 minutes while having a snack and drink, and then you are free to leave. 

Red Cross Chat/ Nicholas Lemesh

After your blood donation, share your experience with friends, family, and coworkers to help influence their involvement in a historical practice to save lives. Tag the Red Cross in your donation process pictures @redcrossncr with the hashtag #MissingType, so the country can share in the significant sacrifice you made like so many before you. 

Join the movement. For more information, visit www.redcross.org/missingtypes.  

Keeping her husband’s memory alive through blood donations: Q&A with Stephanie Hilgenfeld

Stephanie Hilgenfeld's husband, Steve, underwent a multi-organ transplant in April 2017. After his body rejected the first transplanted organs, Steve received a second transplant. While recovering in the hospital in November, Steve passed away unexpectedly at just 38 years old, leaving Stephanie to raise their three young children.

“Even though Steve didn’t live to tell his story, I feel it is my purpose to share it and bring as much good out of our loss as possible,” said Stephanie.

Steve and family

During his surgeries, Steve needed over 300 blood products, an amount that struck a chord with Stephanie. She was also told at one point they didn’t have enough blood on hand, and they were working to get more. His surgery wasn’t delayed long, but it still took her by surprise.

The reality of blood not being available is why the American Red Cross launched the Missing Types campaign to raise awareness of the need for new blood donors – and those who haven’t given in a while – to donate and help ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients in need. Right now, the A’s, B’s and O’s – representing the main blood groups – have gone missing from signage, websites, social media and other public-facing platforms to illustrate the critical role every blood donor plays.

This past spring, Stephanie hosted her first blood drive in Steve's memory. We had the privilege of speaking with her about her blood drive and her newfound passion to encourage others to donate.

Had you ever thought about blood donation before Steve needed transfusions?
Yes, I had thought about blood donation before Steve's transfusions, but just never took that initial step to do it. Steve donated blood when he was able, and I always thought I should too. I'm really not sure why I never took that initial step. I think a lot of it was being nervous about what all was involved to donate.

Steve transplant units

How did it feel to know that others were moved to give blood for the first time for Steve? 
It's an indescribable feeling. Seeing good things come from our tragedy helps ease the ache in our hearts. To come and give for the first time, even though they may have been really nervous, is something I'll be forever grateful for.

What was it like to be told that the hospital didn’t have the blood on hand that Steve needed? 
At first I was confused, like how could they run out of blood products? And what happens then? They reassured me he wouldn't go without, they had enough and were working with another Red Cross to get more. I just never thought that would be something that could happen.

Stephanie
#MissingType

What would you say to a stranger who is on the fence about donating blood?
Think of it as a gift – a gift of more time, a gift of making a procedure possible and the greatest gift of all, the gift of life. Don't wait to donate until it affects your or a loved one’s life. And if you're nervous, just remember you're saving lives, how awesome is that?!

Ready to become a Red Cross blood donor and join the #MissingType movement?  

1.  Schedule your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes or with the Blood Donor App.
2.  Encourage a friend or family member to roll up a sleeve too.
3.  Spread the word!
   -          Take a photo with a selfie sign and post it to your social media along with the message “I am the #MissingType.”
   -          Write out your name with the A’s, B’s and O’s missing on the “blank” selfie sign, and take a photo with it. (Underscores are recommended. Example: _meric_n Red Cr_ss)
   -          Visit RedCrossBlood.org to share a Missing Types message on your social media.