During National Volunteer Month, the American Red Cross asks donors to help protect the nation’s blood supply by making and keeping blood or platelet donation appointments in the weeks ahead.
According to Sue Thesenga, who serves as the American Red Cross regional communications manager for Minnesota and Dakotas Region, to be eligible to donate blood, an individual must be in good health and feeling well, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 16 years old in Minnesota (with parental consent) or 17 years old with a valid ID. Also, there is no upper age limit as long as the individual meets all eligibility requirements.
She said blood donation is an easy 4-step process that takes roughly a hour to complete. It includes:
• Register. The individual will complete donor registration, which includes information such as name, address, phone number, and donor identification number (if they have one). The individual will be asked to show a donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID.
• Complete Health History and Mini Physical. The individual will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about health history and places traveled. The individual also will have their temperature, hemoglobin, blood pressure and pulse checked.
• Make a donation. Trained individuals will cleanse an area on the arm and insert a brand–new, sterile needle for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds. The individual donating will have some time to relax while the bag is filling. For a whole blood donation, it is about 8-10 minutes. When approximately a pint of blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on the arm.
• Have refreshments. The donor will spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments to allow their body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume. After 10-15 minutes the donor can then leave the donation site and continue with their normal daily activities.
Donors can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that they have helped to save lives. Their gift of blood may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells do not last forever: They have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.
The American Red Cross must collect enough blood every day to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or sickle cell disease.
Be sure to prepare for a successful donation – have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals, or raisins. Also, get a good night’s rest and drink extra liquids before the donation.
In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify someone as a blood donor. Eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed.
As long as the condition is under control and the potential donor is healthy, blood donation is usually permitted.
Thesenga said the Red Cross does not want people to self-defer.
“If you are at a blood drive, your trained phlebotomist can answer your eligibility questions,” she said. “The most up-to-date eligibility information can be obtained by contacting the Donor Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.”
Common reasons people can’t donate include cold, flu and other types of illness, certain medications, low iron, and travel outside of the U.S. It’s important to note that even if a potential was deferred in the past, they may be eligible to donate now.
To schedule a donation appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Thesenga noted that potential donors do not need to know their blood type.
“All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients,” she said. “You do not need to know your blood type to donate blood, but one of the many benefits of donating blood is that you will learn your blood type.”
If someone is not eligible to donate blood, they can still help the Red Cross by volunteering or hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross. They can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs.
This gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.
For more information, visit redcrossblood.org.
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