Tomorrow (June 14) marks World Blood Donor Day, which is a day to raise awareness of the need for blood and blood products. World Blood Donor Day also serves to celebrate blood donors and the lives they've saved through their generous donation.
According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion. This can come from surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, or traumatic injuries. However, less than 38% of the U.S. population is able to donate blood.
During the blood-processing phase at the lab, the blood is tested for various diseases, and is then separated into four main components:
A person needing a transfusion can receive whole blood, red cells, platelets, or plasma. From this process, multiple people can receive lifesaving components from just one donation. As a result, each blood donation can save up to three lives.
If you've never donated blood before, it can be a bit scary. However, the process is short and includes the following:
After a whole blood donation, donors must wait 56 days before being eligible to donate again.
If you are able to give blood and would like to schedule an appointment, contact your local American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767).
In addition, below are a few upcoming blood drives taking place in nearby Athens:
Hocking College also hosts multiple blood drives throughout the academic year.