by Janet Dubiel
Charitable giving doesn’t have to cost anything. Volunteering doesn’t have to take much time. Both can be accomplished by donating blood at upcoming American Red Cross blood drive right in your community.
Janet Dubiel, the Blood Services Community Volunteer Leader for Northern Arizona began donating blood as a college undergraduate. She says as an altruistic, full-time student she didn’t have much money to donate and didn’t have much time to volunteer, so donating blood was the perfect way to provide a service to others. Since that time, she has continued donating and recently received her 20-gallon pin.
There is no charge to donate blood. In fact, snacks and drinks are provided to all donors and sometimes there are giveaways, such as Red Cross socks, t-shirts, lip balm and other fun swag. All individual who donate blood between January 1-25, will be entered to win a trip for 2 to the SuperBowl (details at www.rcblood.org/SuperBowl).
Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, while only about 3% of eligible people donate. One whole blood donation can save up to 3 lives. A unit of whole blood has a shelf life of only 45 days. Thus, blood products must be replenished constantly. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days, up to 6 times per year. Donors with all blood types are needed.
The donation process is quick and simple. The day of the donation the required educational materials and health history can be completed at home online at www.redcross.org/rapidpass, on the Red Cross Donor app or at the donation site. Upon completing the health history, a QR code will be provided which will need to be shown at the donor appointment.
It is suggested that donors be well hydrated, eat a healthy dinner the night before donating and healthy meals the day of their appointment. Donors should arrive at the donation site approximately 10 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment. In order to be registered, donors will be asked to show a valid ID or blood donor card. Next donors meet with a phlebotomist who will check the donor’s temperature, blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron) level, and review the donor’s health history. Assuming all is well, the donor will move to a donation bed, a spot on the arm is cleansed, and a brand new, sterile needle will be inserted. Usually nothing more than a little pinch is felt. A typical whole blood donation takes 8-10 minutes, after which the donor spends 10-15 minutes in the ‘canteen’, enjoying a variety of snacks and drinks. During this time donors may given the opportunity to schedule their next donation appointment, then they are free to leave and enjoy the rest of their day knowing they are helping to save lives.
Consider donating blood at one of our upcoming blood drives and then getting in the routine of donating every other month. Give the gift of life all year long.
Currently scheduled drives in the Verde Valley are:
Check online for newly added drives. For additional information contact the Yavapai County Bio-Med Volunteer Lead, Janet Dubiel, at janet.dubiel@redcross.org
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
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