Could you spare a pint of blood for those in need throughout Columbus?

Believe it or not, you can "bleed" for a good cause without any pain or discomfort. In fact, a few minutes sitting on a comfortable chair is all that's needed to save a number of lives. Donating blood is one of the easiest, yet most selfless acts that you can do. If you've never donated blood before or haven't in a few years, now is the perfect time to perform such a heroic deed.

June 14th, 2020, is World Blood Donor Day. Organized by the World Health Organization, World Blood Donor Day is an annual event designed to raise awareness and spread education about the many benefits of blood donation. This international celebration unites us all in a quest to preserve the wellbeing of our communities with the life-saving gift of blood.

World Blood Donor Day began in 2004 in an attempt to raise awareness of the need for safe, clean blood, as well as to recognize the many selfless donors who voluntarily save the lives of thousands by simply donating their blood a few times each year.

Why are Blood Donations so Vital?

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Vincenzo D'Anniballe (@vincype) on Jan 11, 2018 at 12:48pm PST

Think about how much any donation can impact a community. A few dollars can feed a person struggling with homelessness, a few donated clothing can help a family, and a few hours of volunteering can benefit countless members of our society. While time, money, and effort can go a long way in helping our fellow neighbors, blood donations can make quite an impact in ways that we may not even realize.

Like other donations, blood donations are used in a variety of ways. In some cases, donated blood is used in planned medical treatments such as blood transfusions. Donated blood is also used to facilitate urgent medical interventions, such as when an individual has lost a significant volume of their own blood due to an accident, injury, or natural disaster.

What many individuals, even some donors, don't know is that blood is also used for healthcare in other, long-term ways. Many blood donations are saved in a blood bank for future use while others are sent overseas to countries that do not have safe or sufficient quantities of blood. Blood plasma donations can also be used for other medical treatments.

Facts About Blood Donations

 

 

 

 

 

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When you donate blood, every drop counts. While it may seem odd to think that something every human has is in short supply around the world, the reality is that there are thousands if not millions of men, women, and children across the globe that cannot obtain the clean, safe blood that they desperately need to restore their health. Here are a few vital facts about blood donations that we believe you should know:

• A single blood donation can save as many as three lives.
  
  
• Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood donation.
  
  
• 62 percent of the population is ineligible to donate blood.
  
  
• Type O blood is the most requested blood by hospitals, because Type O negative can be given to all blood types, but only 7 percent of the population in the United States are Type 0 negative.
  
  
• Blood cannot be manufactured artificially; it must be donated from volunteers.
  
  
• Over 117 million blood donations are collected around the world each year.
  
  
• Over 65 countries collect less than 10 donations per 1,000 people.
  
  
• Blood transfusions account for 75 percent of adults over the age of 65 in high-income countries.
  
  
• Nearly 80 countries around the world rely on voluntary unpaid blood donations for 90-100 percent of their blood supply.
  
  
• Blood transfusions account for 52 percent of children under the age of 5 in low-income countries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Donations

 

 

 

 

 

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Would you like to learn more about donating blood? Here are a few frequently asked questions prospective donors inquire about via the American Red Cross:

• How old do I need to be to give blood?
  Most states require a donor be 17 years of age or older, but some states do allow 16-year-old individuals to donate with parental consent.
  
  
• How often can I donate blood?
  A donor may donate blood at most once every 8 to 16 weeks.
  
  
• Does donating blood hurt?
  When the needle is inserted into your arm, you may feel a quick, small pinch.
  
  
• When will my body regenerate my blood?
  While your red blood cells require around six weeks to regenerate, your plasma will regenerate within one day.
  
  
• How long does a blood donation take?
  On average, the actually donating process takes around 10 minutes. However, the registration process and recovery process will add time to your visit. Budget around one full hour to complete the full process.

June Blood Drives Around Columbus

Saturday, June 13, 2020

• Polaris Fashion Place
  1540 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240

Sunday, June 14, 2020

• New Life Church
  3690 N. Stygler Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230

Monday, June 15, 2020

• American Red Cross
  995 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

• Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital
  7277 Smiths Mill Rd., New Albany, OH 43054

Friday, June 19, 2020

• Molina Healthcare
  3000 Corporate Exchange Dr., Columbus, OH 43231

Note that many locations may require signup prior to donating, but these blood donation events are far from the only opportunities for donation. Nearly every day of the year, there's a way for you to donate blood around the Columbus area. There are also a number of blood buses that schedule frequent stops at popular locations such as shopping plazas, community centers, and school campuses.

Be a Life Saver

Have you ever donated blood before? Tell us about your experience in the comments below and give other donors the support and advice you think will help make their experience as positive as possible.