Who Can You Help by Donating Blood?
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, yet only about 10 percent of the U.S. population donates blood each year.
Cancer patients need platelet donations because certain cancers and cancer treatments prevent patients from producing their own. Trauma patients need power red donations because red cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are frequently given to trauma and surgery patients. Sickle cell patients need whole blood or power red, especially from blood donors who are of African descent. Patients with sickle cell disease can require multiple blood transfusions every year. Donated blood must be very closely matched to the donor’s blood type to avoid transfusion-related complications. Burn patients need AB Elite because plasma helps maintain blood pressure and other vital functions.
In order to donate whole blood, the following is required.
- Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a year*
- You must be in good health and feeling well**
- You must be at least 16 years old in most states
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs.
The American Red Cross partners with CEC twice a year to host blood drives at the main office in Sanford. The next CEC Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 15 from 10 AM – 3 PM. Donors can make an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: COVELE, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
All blood donors will receive a goody bag from CEC be entered into two drawings for $50 Visa Gift Cards.
We hope to see you on Sept. 15!