Donating Blood – How Your Generosity Saves Lives

A hand gives a red heart to a hand - blood donation,world blood donor day

Ever wanted to be a hero and save a life? Well, you can! June 14th is World Blood Donor Day and almost anyone can participate in this essential and life-giving service. Here’s some motivational information on how you can participate, from our assisted living community in Camden County, NJ.

Why Donate Blood?

Blood is needed in many medical situations in order to save lives. This includes premature babies, children with anemia, cancer and surgical patients, as well as trauma patients.

Blood banks allow people to donate blood and store it until needed by a patient — and there is no alternative, no medicine or substitute that can be used instead of these donations. This makes donating vital to saving lives.

Blood Donation Options:

Whole blood donation. This method of donating usually happens in blood drives. It’s called a whole blood donation because you are supplying red blood cells along with other elements found in the blood stream.
There are different types of red blood cells and some people can only receive donations from compatible types, which is why it’s essential for blood centers to have a wide range of donated blood types on hand. Type O- (O negative) is “universal” and especially important as it is a blood type anyone can receive.
Plasma donation. Plasma is a component of blood that is vital to carrying salt, nutrients, protein and enzymes to the tissues of the body. It is often used for people receiving treatments for rare health conditions that depend on protein delivered by the plasma in order to be effective.
Platelet donation. Platelets, another component of blood you can donate, plays a vital role in helping wounds to clot. Patients who are bleeding heavily require additional platelets to stop this bleeding, so it’s often used in trauma cases.

Your local doctor or the American Red Cross can help you find out if you are eligible to make these donations, but the general guidelines require you must be:

In good general health
Weigh at least 110 pounds
Be at least 16-years-old

As a whole blood donor, you will need to wait 56 days between donations and 7 days before donating platelets. Platelet donors cannot donate more than 6 times in any 8-week period.

Independent Style Living for Seniors at Our Assisted Living Community in Camden County, New Jersey

United Methodist Communities at Collingswood New Jersey is part of the United Methodist Communities network of high-quality, non-profit, assisted living communities specializing in senior living. With an experienced care and assistance team, scalable services customized to each resident’s needs, and a lively social calendar, we focus on essential resources that promote independence and quality of life.

To find out more about our assisted living community in Camden County NJ, please visit our website at http://collingswood.umcommunities.org/ or contact us today.