In 1969, January became National Blood Donor Month, to honor blood donors and encourage giving during the winter when seasonal illnesses and weather constraints lead to blood donation shortages.
Blood donation is a selfless act of kindness that can mean the difference between life and death. One donation can save up to three lives according to the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI), the largest non-profit blood supplier in Oklahoma, serving more than 160 medical facilities.
OBI also reports that of the estimated 38% of Americans eligible to give blood, only 10% do so regularly, and this number decreases during winter months when the need is perhaps the greatest due to hospitalizations and illnesses where nearly 1 in 7 hospital patients will need a transfusion.
According to the American Red Cross, 13,000 blood donations are needed daily to maintain an appropriate supply for the 4.5 million Americans who would die annually without a transfusion. Essentially, giving blood is equitable to giving life to your friends, family, neighbors, and community.
The greatest barriers to blood donation are myths and misinformation about the process and lack of community awareness.
Myth: I can only donate once a year; I will run out of blood if I donate.
Fact: Healthy people can donate approximately every 56 days. The one-pint donation has little negative impact and could actually be good for the heart. In addition, the donor receives a mini-physical and blood testing for irregularities free of charge.
Myth: Blood donation hurts.
Fact: There is a quick poke at the collection site, and then the donor is asked to relax and watch TV, rest, or can catch up on games or social media during the collection.
Myth: Blood donation is time consuming.
Fact: The entire process from screening to recovery can take as little as an hour. The actual blood donation only lasts 10-20 minutes.
Myth: I can’t donate due to my age, medications, diabetes, or tattoos.
Fact: There is a brief screening process where medical conditions, medications, and history are reviewed. Many well controlled medical conditions including diabetes, routine medications, and safe tattoos are acceptable. The minimum age for a donor is 16 with parental consent (>125lb) and there is no maximum age.
Further information on donor requirements is available at OBI.org or by calling 877-340-8777.
For a calendar of local blood drive events visit https://obi.org/find-a-blood-drive/ or contact the Ardmore OBI donor center at 580-798-3700 to schedule a donation.