January Is National Blood Donors Month
National Blood Donors Month: Give blood. Save a life.
In January, the American Red Cross celebrates National Blood Donor Month and recognizes the lifesaving contribution that blood and platelet donors make to modern healthcare. As 2015 gets underway, the Red Cross thanks donors for their support and encourages individuals to roll up a sleeve this month and throughout the year.
National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter — one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs. Inclement winter weather often results in cancelled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, may cause some donors to become temporarily unable to donate.
The Red Cross urges healthy donors who have made a commitment to donate during the winter months to keep their appointments. Each appointment kept, and each donation given, offers hope to a patient in need. Every day, about 44,000 units of blood are used to save lives across the United States. This blood is vital for cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, and victims of accidents.
If you’re age 65 or older, you might be concerned about the health risks of donating blood. It’s a common myth that seniors are too old to donate blood. But as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, there’s no upper age limit on blood donation. A senior’s blood can save somebody’s life just as well as a younger person’s.
If you decide to donate blood, you’ll find that the process is very simple. You’ll have your basic information and a medical history taken, along with a mini physical exam to measure your pulse, blood pressure and so on.
The procedure will take 5-10 minutes, after which you’ll rest and enjoy a snack. Then you’ll go on home as good as new, with the empowering knowledge that your donation may very well save someone’s life.
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days — up to 24 times a year. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in most states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. Donors can also use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, which is free and available for download now. It can be found in app stores by searching for American Red Cross, visiting redcross.org/apps or redcrossblood.org/bloodapp.
If you’re presently seeking a senior apartment, independent-living, assisted-living, or other continuing-care community for yourself or a senior loved one, don’t forget to visit alternativesforseniors.com to assist your search. Alternatives for Seniors is a print and online directory that specifically caters to the housing and personal care concerns of senior citizens and their families. You can also call our Senior Specialists at (888) WE-ASSIST (888-932-7747).
BLOG Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Writer: Ryan Allen