EDITORIAL: Save a life — donate blood

Published 10:00 am Tuesday, March 10, 2020

March is Red Cross Month. While most of us can’t feasibly lend our support in disaster ravished parts of the globe, we can contribute to helping others by donated blood. 

Giving up 45 minutes of your time can save a life.

The mission of volunteering is to offer financial support and give blood. It’s estimated that one in seven people will need blood at some point in their life.

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross asks everyone to be a hero in their community by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or donating to #help1family on Red Cross Giving Day, March 27.

The need to help people is constant—and the past year of busy disaster activity was no exception. For 324 consecutive days, more than 43,000 people relied on the Red Cross for emergency shelter following events like record wildfires, hurricanes, floods and large apartment fires. From April 2018 to February 2019, more than 11,500 Red Cross volunteers left the comfort of their own homes to provide comfort, care and a safe place to sleep for tens of thousands affected by disasters.

Additionally, with recent concerns over cases of COVID-19, the Red Cross is urging healthy, eligible individuals to give blood or platelets now to help prevent blood shortages that could result from lower donor participation. As the number of coronavirus cases grows in the U.S., the number of people eligible to give blood for patients in need could decrease further. 

Blood banks in our region mirror the nation and are facing significant shortages. 

We understand that not everyone can donate blood but those who can should give it serious consideration. 

All blood types are needed. 

Blood and blood platelets cannot be manufactured in a laboratory. 

They must be donated. 

Donors are encouraged to donate now to ensure local hospitals have the blood needed to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses, health care representatives said.

Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 with parental permission, must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is needed. 

Bloodmobiles are frequently available throughout the community and blood drives are conducted at various locations throughout the year. 

Check the American Red Cross website for updates on other local drives. To view available times and locations visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Heroes of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to provide hope and help for patients across the country. Make an appointment now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

No need, however, is more immediate or important to saving lives than giving the gift of life — your blood.