November American Red Cross Blood Drives

The holidays are on their way and that means the need for blood donors is as important as ever to help prevent shortages during the holiday season. As a “thanks for giving” in November, all presenting donors will be automatically registered in a monthly drawing for a chance to win two free Delta Airlines tickets and will receive a free t-shirt.

Blood Saves Lives – and it is always needed because every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood.

»Blood Donation Eligibility Guidelines
»All About Blood
»Upcoming Blood Drives

Every two seconds someone in America needs blood.
The Red Cross serves as the bridge between over 4 million generous blood donors and millions of patients in need each year.

The American Red Cross serves over 3,000 hospitals around the United States. We deliver a wide range of high quality blood products and blood donor and patient testing services. We bring expertise in transfusion medicine and dedication to meeting our customers’ needs.

Our “TOP 10” reasons to DONATE at an American Red Cross blood drive:

1. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, requiring more than 38,000 units per day. Six hundred of those are needed in the Alabama & Central Gulf Coast region as we service approximately 100 hospitals including UAB. One donation can help to save up to three lives.
2. Sickle Cell affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98% of whom are African American. More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Both these patients require blood.
3. Although more than 38 percent of the region’s population is eligible to donate, only about 8 percent actually give blood.
4. Type O Neg can be transfused to anyone but can only receive O Neg blood. O Neg is often used in emergency situations and with newborns so it must be replenished for O Neg ONLY recipients.
5. Donating is a safe process. A sterile needed is used only once for each donor and then discarded. Donors are given a mini physical to ensure the health and safety of the donor and recipient. Donors are also given post donation instructions and a toll free number to call with any question/concern.
6. Blood has a shelf life of about 42 days so new donations are constantly needed.  Blood products are available to be shipped 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
7. A dozen tests for infectious diseases are performed on each unit. If positive, the unit is discarded and the donor is notified. Test results are confidential, except as required by law.
8. The average adult has about 10 pints of blood in the body. Only one pint is taken during donation. Plasma is replaced within 24 hours. Red cells need about 4-6 weeks. Eligibility is every 56 days.
9. The ALYX machine collects double the red cells (most needed blood component) but returns most of the plasma and platelets along with a saline solution to the donor. A smaller needle is used and donors may even feel more hydrated afterwards. This donation will count twice toward saving lives.
10. The Alabama & Central Gulf Coast Region imports 1000 units per month because we don’t collect enough blood to meet patient needs. However, due to depressed blood collections across the American Red Cross system those regularly scheduled life saving imports are no longer available.

A common reason cited by people who don’t give blood is that they are afraid of needles.   Some patients have that same fear but still need the gift of life through your blood donation.

Blood Donation Process

1. Registration – You will read information about donation blood and be asked to complete a form with demographic and basic health information. You will need to show a valid photo ID card.
2. Health History – A trained staff person will ask you some health history questions during a private and confidential interview. You will have your temperature, iron level, blood pressure, and pulse checked in order to protect your health and well being.
3. Donation – Staff will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a needle for the blood drawing procedure. You will have 7 – 10 minutes to relax while the bag is filling. When approximately a pint of blood has een collected, the staff person will remove the needle and place a bandage on your arm.
4. Refreshments – You will spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments to allow your body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume. You can then leave the donation site and continue with your normal daily activities.

Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you’ve done something good.

Sponsoring a Blood Drive

Convenience, for many people, turns out to be the deciding factor whether they give blood or not. The American Red Cross works closely with companies, community groups, military bases, churches and synagogues, colleges, universities and high schools to organize blood drives at places most convenient for donors — the places where they live, work, worship, and play. In fact, 80% of blood donations made through the Red Cross are made at blood drives rather than fixed donor centers.

Blood drives need sponsors — an organization that can provide the appropriate physical space and a coordinator from the organization to educate, motivate, and recruit donors and work with the local Red Cross.

Why do organizations sponsor drives? Because it is both a simple and a powerful way to serve your community and allow employees/colleagues or members to get involved. Whether your organization is large or small, you can make a difference!

If you or your organization is interested in becoming a blood drive sponsor, please contact the chapter nearest you.