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.

Where did A, B & O go? Red Cross needs YOU to fill the Missing Types

N_tice _nything missing? A few missing letters may not seem like a big deal, but for a hospital patient who needs type A, B or O blood, these letters mean life. 

As part of an international movement, the American Red Cross is launching 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. You may notice A’s, B’s and O’s – representing the main blood groups – missing from signage, websites, social media and other public-facing platforms to illustrate the critical role every blood donor plays.

The sad fact is that blood shortages are not uncommon in the U.S. and other parts of the world. But they can be prevented when more people roll up a sleeve to give.

When blood types go missing 

“Can you imagine your child or loved one actually needing lifesaving blood and to be told there may be no blood at the blood bank? That happened to us two times with blood and platelets,” said Susie Dotson, whose daughter Lily needed more than a dozen blood and platelet transfusions during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Hearing that the hospital didn’t have the blood or platelets Lily needed – and that she would have to wait for transfusions – was incredibly frustrating and eye-opening for the Dotson family.
“People automatically think blood is there. They don’t realize we’re relying on their blood donation,” said Susie. “Lily needed blood products just as much as the chemo or the treatment.”

Today, Lily has been cancer-free for four years and will be celebrating her 12th birthday this summer. 

Join the movement

1. Give blood – Schedule your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes or with the Blood Donor App.
2. Recruit new donors – Encourage a friend or family member to roll up a sleeve too.
3. Spread the word – 
• Take a photo with one of these selfie signs 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.

What to expect at your donation

Giving blood is simple. Commit about an hour of your day to help save a life.

• Registration – Sign in, show your ID and read the required information. 
• Health check – Answer questions and receive a mini-physical. 
• Donation – Giving a pint of blood takes about 8-10 minutes.
• Refreshments – Enjoy some snacks and relax before resuming your day.

Speed up the donation process by completing the pre-donation reading and answering your health history questionnaire online with RapidPass on the day of your donation.

 

Y_u _re the #MissingType p_tients need. Don’t wait until the letters A, B and O go missing from the hospital shelves. Schedule your appointment to give now.