Blood donation makes hearts happy

Valentine’s Day and Giving Hearts Day are coming soon, but did you know that there’s one more very important heart-related observance we are in the midst of right now?

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. This could be a little girl in the ICU or a grandfather with Stage 3 leukemia. January is National Blood Donation Month, and the need is greater than you might realize.

The American Red Cross recently announced that they are experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Blood donation is at its lowest point in 20 years, which contributes to the shortage at times like these when the actual need for blood increases.

I donated blood for the first time as a college student. No, I’m not talking about plasma donations for science where you get beer money and random prizes in exchange for your time and bodily fluids.

I’m talking about giving a pint of whole blood, which can be used to provide necessary treatment for up to three people. I have donated nearly 4 gallons of my blood over the past 20 years, and I can and will do so much more in my lifetime.

The last time I donated was in December, after receiving a personal phone call from someone at Vitalant, the organization that holds blood drives in our area. The woman on the phone said they were in dire need of donations. I was happy to oblige, and I booked an appointment on the spot.

Readers, I can tell you from experience that blood donation is one of the easiest, cheapest and fastest ways to give to people in need.

It’s easy because all it takes is a short interview with mostly yes or no questions (to make sure you are healthy and eligible to donate), then a couple of pokes followed by 20 minutes in a chair while they draw your blood. Many donors bring books, magazines or newspapers to read while their blood is drawn. Others pop in an earbud and listen to music.

It’s cheap because it costs nothing but a little bit of your time; which leads to my next point. Blood donation is fast. The average appointment lasts less than an hour, and it can literally mean the difference between life and death for someone in need.

Are you a social person? If so, the other benefit of blood donation is the opportunity to see friends and neighbors who are also donating. I usually spend my 15 minute post-donation rest time engaging in light-hearted conversation (the free cookies and juice are great too!).

In my experience, the blood drive staff are always pleasant and do everything possible to ensure that my donation is painless and smooth.

Then, days later, I get a text message when the pint of blood I donated is used to heal or save another individual. I sometimes pause for a moment and wonder about the person receiving that donation. I hope that they recover fully from whatever ailment or injury they are suffering.

The origins of blood donation in the United States goes back to the World War II era, when blood banks were set up to help wounded soldiers fighting overseas. Bernard Fantus coined the term “blood bank” and set up the first one at Cook County Hospital in Chicago in 1937.

Now, approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells, nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are used in the U.S. every day. Further, blood and platelets cannot be manufactured, making blood donation absolutely essential to modern medicine.

Individuals can donate one pint of whole blood every 56 days, or about six times per year. There are some basic eligibility requirements, such as age (must be 16 or older), weight (at least 110 lbs) and health (must be well and healthy). Most adults meet the basic criteria.

Do you have Type O blood like me? If so, then you are at the top of the donor list.

Type O Negative is considered the universal blood type, which makes it the most sought after. According to the American Red Cross, “in an emergency where a patient’s blood type is unknown, type O negative blood is the only blood type that is safe to use because it is compatible with all blood types.”

In addition, Type O positive blood is the most needed blood type, because it’s given to patients more than any other blood type. It’s also the most common, as approximately 38 percent of the population has O positive blood.

If you need one more incentive to jump on the blood donation bandwagon even after reading all the reasons why, here’s a good one for you: Vitalant is giving away $500 gift cards to 24 people who donate by Feb. 10. All you have to do to qualify is take that step and donate blood.

There are three blood drives happening in our area within that time frame:

Tolna – American Lutheran Church, located at 218 Main Street in Tolna, will host a blood drive on Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Devils Lake - Devils Lake Elks Lodge #1216 is the site of a blood drive on Friday, Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Carrington – Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 Poplar Ave., will hold a blood drive on Monday, Feb. 5 from 1:15 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Later this winter, the Binford Fire Hall will be the site of a community blood drive in Binford on Monday, March 4 from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Schedule an appointment online for any of these blood drives at vitalant.org.

It may be cold outside, but it’s cozy inside the blood donation sites near you. Plus, you’ll get a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing you’ve given someone an amazing gift.