Increased patient use of O+POSITIVE blood has caused an increased need for donors. Donate now!
New Orleans, LA –National Blood Donor Month kicks off with first ‘Golden’ blood donor celebration at The Blood Center. Michael Adams has scheduled his 400th donation at 7 am Wednesday, January 4th marking his 50th ‘Golden’ Gallon.
“This is a HUGE milestone. We don’t have records of any donor in our community coming close to Mr. Adams’ 50-gallon gift” says Paul Adams (no relation), Public Relations Manager for The Blood Center. “At over 1000 patients likely touched by his altruism (every blood donation can save up to three lives), this donation is nearly 30 years in the making.”
Blood donors typically give about a pint when they donate, and eight pints equals a gallon. Michael gives apheresis (AA-feh-re-shuz) allowing him to give more often. The process removes his whole blood, separates the red cells from platelets and plasma, and gives the donor back what wasn’t used, with a little saline solution. The process takes longer, and blood products like platelets only have a shelf life of about five days. “Friends and family members of a loved one battling cancer will often answer the call to become platelet donors after learning that supplies can be scarce. Blood is one of the few medications hospitals rely on that can’t be manufactured, and with such a short shelf life, there are times when usage exceeds availability” adds Paul Adams.
National Blood Donor Month is typically associated with critical blood shortages in January. Holidays, travel and flu season all impact the blood supply. Blood drives are also adversely affected due to weather in the winter months.
Blood is traditionally in short supply during the holidays, yet the demand for blood and blood components is constant. Family members opting for elective surgeries at the end of the year and increased traffic-related accidents cause hospital blood needs to rise. As donors take vacations or are out of school for the holidays, The Blood Center needs to increase collections, so blood is available when needed.
The Blood Center, a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer Board of Trustees, is the primary supplier of blood and blood components to more than 50 area hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. The Blood Center operates seven donor centers in the Gulf South.
Every type is the right type; while 60% of the population is eligible to donate blood, less than 5% do it. To maintain a healthy and stable community blood supply, The Blood Center must collect between 200 to 250 pints of blood every day. For more information on donating blood, please call (800) 86-BLOOD or visitTheBloodCenter.org. Find The Blood Center on social media at @TheBloodCenter.