2008 Woodie Awards
Blood donor awareness month recognized by University
By Jenn Halligan
Issue date: 1/21/08 Section: Features
Although the holiday season is over, a person can still give a gift to somebody else: the gift of life - a blood donation - especially since January is recognized as National Blood Donor Month.
Since 1970, January has been recognized as Blood Donor Month. Winter is a particularly difficult season to collect blood because of the holidays, travel schedules and inclement weather, which may arguably prevent people from donating.
Although the difficulties to reach a blood donation center increase, the need for blood donations does not decrease. Roughly every two seconds, someone in America requires blood. Those statistics do not include any natural disasters, which skyrocket the need for blood.
Giving blood is relatively simple. Any interested donor must be 17 years of age or older, weigh above 110 pounds and be in good health. For the most part, medications do not prohibit a person from giving blood, but a person should check before attending.
However, there are some restrictions. If a person has received a tattoo within the past 12 months or is on antibiotics for an infection, among other things, s/he cannot give blood.
Additionally, if a person has traveled outside of the country to a place where malaria is prevalent, s/he should wait 12 months before donating. If a person has lived in a country where malaria is found, s/he should wait three years before donating. If a person has traveled to a country where mad cow disease is found, s/he is not eligible to donate.
The entire process takes about one hour. Upon arriving, the volunteers will provide the donor with information about donating blood and a form about his/her basic medical history to fill out while s/he waits.
Afterwards, a private interview will be conducted to ask personal medical questions, in addition to having blood pressure, temperature, iron levels and pulse checked.
After the interview, the blood will be taken by a trained staff member. It takes approximately seven to 10 minutes while they take a pint of blood. In order to make sure the body adjusts to the loss of blood, refreshments are provided afterwards.
Since 1970, January has been recognized as Blood Donor Month. Winter is a particularly difficult season to collect blood because of the holidays, travel schedules and inclement weather, which may arguably prevent people from donating.
Although the difficulties to reach a blood donation center increase, the need for blood donations does not decrease. Roughly every two seconds, someone in America requires blood. Those statistics do not include any natural disasters, which skyrocket the need for blood.
Giving blood is relatively simple. Any interested donor must be 17 years of age or older, weigh above 110 pounds and be in good health. For the most part, medications do not prohibit a person from giving blood, but a person should check before attending.
However, there are some restrictions. If a person has received a tattoo within the past 12 months or is on antibiotics for an infection, among other things, s/he cannot give blood.
Additionally, if a person has traveled outside of the country to a place where malaria is prevalent, s/he should wait 12 months before donating. If a person has lived in a country where malaria is found, s/he should wait three years before donating. If a person has traveled to a country where mad cow disease is found, s/he is not eligible to donate.
The entire process takes about one hour. Upon arriving, the volunteers will provide the donor with information about donating blood and a form about his/her basic medical history to fill out while s/he waits.
Afterwards, a private interview will be conducted to ask personal medical questions, in addition to having blood pressure, temperature, iron levels and pulse checked.
After the interview, the blood will be taken by a trained staff member. It takes approximately seven to 10 minutes while they take a pint of blood. In order to make sure the body adjusts to the loss of blood, refreshments are provided afterwards.
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