World Blood Donor Day: 3 ways to give back
World Blood Donor Day 2020 is Sunday, June 14. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact communities across the globe and U.S., blood donation centers are facing new, complex challenges. One of those challenges is the urgent need for continued blood, platelet, and plasma donations, according to the American Red Cross. With different restrictions still in place throughout the U.S., it can be difficult to know which activities are low risk. Fortunately, giving blood remains a safe way to support people and communities in need.
Healthy people can still safely donate blood amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and many blood donation centers, including the American Red Cross, are taking special precautions to protect both donors and staff. Here are some of the additional safety measures the American Red Cross is implementing:
- Checking the temperature of staff and donors before entering a drive to make sure they are healthy
- Providing hand sanitizer for use before the drive, as well as throughout the donation process
- Spacing beds, where possible, to follow social distancing practices between blood donors
- Increasing enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment
To participate in World Blood Donor Day, we invite you to consider taking one (or more) of the following actions:
1. Donate blood, platelets, or plasma in your community.
The need for blood donations will continue during the current crisis and beyond. These statistics from the American Red Cross illustrate the impact of giving blood:
- One blood donation can potentially save up to three lives.
- Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
- According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
- Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
- A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
Make an appointment to donate blood today.
2. Schedule recurring, regular donations.
You can make a long-term commitment to sharing life-saving gifts that can help the people in your community. According to the American Red Cross, blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give every seven days. Routinely donating can help your local blood center better maintain their supply of vital blood products for people in need.
3. Promote awareness of World Blood Donor Day.
Each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates by sharing resources and educational content about the benefits and impact of giving blood. You can help by learning more about this observance and helping friends and family understand the importance and impact of blood donations. Keep learning in this helpful resource linked here. Get more information on World Blood Donor Day from the WHO here.