Every day, blood donors like Joseph
Harris help patients of all ages – from
accident and trauma victims to those
having surgery or battling cancer. In fact,
every two seconds someone in the U.S.
needs blood. The Huntingtown resident has
donated regularly since his 20s when he was in
the Navy.
The 86-year-old great-grandfather said he thinks about
the people who are sick or hurt who need the blood he
donates. “They are so thankful for it. It’s a blessing to be able
to save a life.”
He went on to add, “I actually look forward to it. It’s not
painful. I don’t even feel the needle going in.” Harris is a
regular donor at the Red Cross blood drives hosted bimonthly
at CalvertHealth Medical Center (CHMC) in Prince Frederick.
Other drives are held around the county throughout the year
at churches, service organizations, local businesses and fire
departments. To find one near you, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or
go online at: www.redcross.org.
“There is always a need for more blood and for more
donors,” said Mary Posey, who coordinates the blood
drives at CalvertHealth. She estimates about half of their
donations come from CalvertHealth staff and the rest from
the community. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins
are accepted.
“It’s important for people to realize we need a regular
blood supply,” she said. “There tends to be a more critical need around the holidays and during the summer
vacation months.” Posey said CalvertHealth
sponsors seven to 10 drives per year. According to
the Red Cross, three to four drives per year means
that over 500 lives could potentially be saved.
Posey said the entire process including
screening, healthiness test and the actual blood
donation takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes. Generally,
donors need to be in good health, 17 years or
older and weigh at least 110 pounds in order to be
eligible to donate.
After you register, a brief medical history
including travel and medications will be taken
before you donate. Then, you’ll be given a miniphysical
to ensure you’re healthy enough to
donate that day. The donation itself takes about
10 minutes. This will be followed by a period of
refreshment and relaxation before you leave.
Posey suggested these tips to speed up the
donation process. “Download the blood donor app
or complete a RapidPass® online. After your first
donation, use the digital donor card to scan in at
registration.”
According to the Red Cross, Type O is
routinely in short supply and in high demand by
hospitals – both because it is the most common
and because blood type O negative blood, in
particular, is the universal blood type used for
emergency transfusions.
Sometimes, people are hesitant to make their
first blood donation but once they do they find the
donation process easy and rewarding. Donors
are encouraged to listen to music, read a book or
simply close their eyes and rest for a few minutes.
Afterward, enjoy an oatmeal cookie and some
juice, like Joe, and feel the satisfaction of knowing
you made a difference.
