Headline: Increase in demand for blood
Summary: An increase in the demand for blood donations during the holiday season
is a reoccurring trend.
Millions of people worldwide rely on blood transfusions in order to survive. This
ever-pressing health concern is only amplified during the holiday season.
For some, blood is a luxury that they do not get to fully enjoy. These people suffer
from various diseases or injuries that require them to receive blood often. Blood
transfusions are very common and essential for the person receiving blood.
While blood donations as always needed, this is especially true between
Thanksgiving and the week after New Years Eve. The rise in the demand of blood
during this season is for a couple reasons.
First, people’s schedules become busier and they tend to travel more during these
months. With the increased amount of people traveling, a higher number of car
accidents result.
“The need for blood products increases significantly during the holiday season due
to inclement weather and an increased risk for accidents. Blood donations also
abate during this time because of holiday distractions and travel (Massgeneral.org).”
Poor weather, accidents, travel, busy schedules, and injuries are all to blame for the
increase in the demand for blood. Ultimately emphasizing that the holiday season is
the most important time to donate.
Unfortunately, “It is during these times that the number of donations declines while
the demand continues or even increases (Bloodcenters.org).”
The increased need for blood donations during the holiday season is an incredibly
pressing issue. It is important the public is well informed on this subject, so that
more people can be reminded how needed and valued their donation is.
At the last blood drive of the fall semester, held in the Smith Center for
Undergraduate Education (CUE), I spoke with Amanda Peterson.
Peterson, Red Cross donation supervisor, said: “It is really important for people to
donate this time of year. Blood drives are the easiest way for people to help out.”
The blood drive event was equipped with a friendly staff and many willing donators.
Here, I was able to speak with an informative Red Cross nurse about blood donating
details.
Donating blood takes about an hour of your time, but in turn can save the lives of
three. “We do a small history, health history, blood pressure, pulse, hemoglobin,
temperature, and an arm inspection before we take your blood,” said Mary Joe.
Joe joked this process may seem intimidating but reassured that donating is a
simple process that could save someone’s life. Research shows that a healthy
individual over the age of 17-years-old can donate blood every 56 days.1
Kevin Gavin, a blood donator at the CUE, talked to me about his powerful experience
donating blood.
“I felt like I made a difference today,” said Gavin.
Donators leaving the Red Cross blood drive appeared happy and accomplished.
Knowing their donation had a positive impact on another’s life was very meaningful.
It is essential that the public know just how critical it is for people to continue to
donate blood during the holiday season. It is unfortunate that the need is increased
due to accidents and injuries; however, blood is essential to these traumas.
Donating blood requires one pint of an individual’s blood. This donation can then
help to save up to three lives. People in need of blood, whether from illness or
injury, rely on the donations of others.
Jade Baumann, an Avalon Care Center employee, told me why she donates blood
whenever she can.
“Working in the medical field has shown me how important donating blood is,” said
Baumann.
Each year during the holiday season, the number of blood donations decrease. This
causes a shortage of blood, leading to the seasonal raise in the demand. Despite this,
in the United States each year, around 15.7 million blood donations are collected.2
These generous donations help those who need blood transfusions in order to
survive. Take the time to donate during this holiday season to help save as many as
3 lives. Blood, the most giving gift you can give.
1
2
www.bloodcenters.org/media-room/press-releases/blood-centers-of-the-pacific
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-facts-and-statistics#top
Contact Information:
Amanda Peterson
amanda.peterson@redcross.org
Mary Joe
(208) 791-2550
Kevin Gavin
kevin.gavin@email.wsu.edu
Jade Baumann
jade.baumann@email.wsu.edu
Sources:
"Blood Donor Center: News & Events." Massachusetts General Hospital. (2013): 1.
Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.massgeneral.org/blooddonor/news/event.aspx?id=2462>.
"Facts About Blood And Blood Banking." Blood Centers of the Pacific. (2013): 9-11.
Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <http://www.bloodcenters.org/media-room/pressreleases/blood-centers-of-the-pacific/>.
"Facts about the blood supply." American Red Cross: Blood Facts and Statistics.
(2013): 1. Web. 5 Dec. 2013. <http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-aboutblood/blood-facts-and-statistics>.
Outline:
I.
II.
III.
What? Increase in the demand for blood donations
a. Why there is an increased need
i. People are traveling
ii. Accidents/injuries
b. Importance of donating (Quote from Amanda)
Why donate? Blood donations can help save many lives
a. Statistics on life saving potential (up to 3 lives per donation, Quote
from Mary)
b. Impact of blood donation on donator (Quote from Kevin)
Blood donation facts and information
a. How often one can donate (Quote from Jade)
b. How often blood drives occur
i. Call to action – donate today and be a ‘hero’
Video Interview: