The Roanoker July/August 2023 - 19

The Gist
Blood Donations Needed
More Than Ever
written by Shawn Nowlin Amid ongoing shortages, the need for blood donations are at an all-time high.
T
hree years ago, while catching
up with some friends over
dinner, Jayme Beal was asked
a question that stumped her.
Almost never at a loss for words,
she had no response when asked, " Do you ever
ponder as to why you never donate plasma or
blood to help those in need? "
Had the conversation never come up, Beal
admits she likely would have never given it any
real thought. Because she was amongst friends
in a comfortable environment, that inquiry led
to an uncomfortable, but productive conversation.
" You should be able to have an honest
dialogue with no judgment with friends without
jeopardizing the relationship. Since that
dinner, I've had an entirely new perspective
about donating blood, " she said.
Since the turn of the century, specifically in
recent years, donations have been significantly
down all over the country, especially throughout
the Roanoke Valley.
According to Jackie Grant, the Executive
Director of the American Red Cross (ARC)
Southwest Chapter, someone in America is in
need of blood every two seconds. Data, however,
shows that less than 15 percent of eligible
donors donate on a regular basis. If the
platelet and blood shortage continues, Grant
noted, drastic changes at hospitals may need
to happen.
The four main types of blood are A, B, AB
and O with the group O being the most critical.
Because some antigens tend to trigger the
immune system, safe blood transfusions rely
on specific blood typing and cross-matching.
To donate, one must weigh at least 110
pounds, have a valid driver's license and relatively
speaking, be in good health. The stepby-step
process of donating usually goes as follows:
registration, health history background,
the actual donation and light refreshments if
required. Usually, the entire process takes about
an hour.
Approximately 45% of donated blood in the
United States comes from ARC. Additionally,
TheRoanoker.com
the nonprofit humanitarian organization provides
more than a quarter of the country's
plasma products. After the donated material is
sent to a testing lab, it is then delivered to partners
of hospitals to be transfused to patients.
" Locally, we need to collect more than 575
daily pints to provide lifesaving blood to area
hospital partners. The Red Cross critically
needs donors to be the lifeline that patients
need, " External Communications Manager of
the Virginia Donor Services Region Bernadette
Jay said. " Blood simply can't be manufactured
in a lab. The only way to ensure that lifesaving
blood is available is for people to donate. "
Interested individuals can learn more information
by contacting (800) 448-3543, texting
the words " BLOODAPP " to 90999 or visiting
redcrossblood.org. I
JULY/AUGUST 2023 19
You can visit your local American
Red Cross Blood and Platelet
locations, or sign up for a blood
drive such as the ones held by
Junior League of Roanoke Valley,
pictured here.
COURTESY OF JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ROANOKE VALLEY

http://www.redcrossblood.org http://www.TheRoanoker.com

The Roanoker July/August 2023

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