Sue Long at a Red Cross event.
By Red Cross Volunteer Patricia Griffiths
Being rejected from donating blood to the Red Cross in the fall of 2024 was a life-saving gift to Sue Long, a real estate broker from Corvallis, Oregon.
In fact, it was the third time she had been rejected. Previous rejections for low blood pressure and malaise had not raised any flags. But, the third rejection for having an exceptionally low heart rate proved to be the catalyst for her to escalate the issue to her doctor, who determined that she had a serious heart condition. This accounted for her having had chronic fatigue and light-headedness for months. Fortunately, her condition could be managed with a pacemaker and medications.
“Since I had the heart monitor and medicine, it’s been a total turn around,” she exclaimed. “I can skin dive and do the things I normally did! I run close to a mile every other day. I’m back into tennis after 27 years!”
Sue Long’s life-saving experience happened because a Red Cross blood donation screener found an abnormal pulse. However, if she had qualified to donate blood, she would have received additional health screening tests.
All Red Cross blood donation centers screen donors for pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin (the amount of iron in a person’s blood). These tests can reveal numerous health warnings for conditions such as hypertension and anemia (a shortage of red blood cells or hemoglobin).
These tests will be expanded to include A1C, a test for prediabetes and diabetes, from March 1 through March 31, 2025 as part of Red Cross Month. The A1C test is offered free to all donors. Early detection of diabetes is crucial to be able to prevent serious organ damage.
“The Red Cross blood program is really a public health initiative of sorts,” Long said. “If you give whole blood or platelets, which are so sought-after, you will even get a whole blood screening (CBC and comprehensive metabolic panel and A1C levels) that would normally cost quite a bit, for nothing, except giving your blood, of course. You will get the results quickly, as well.”
To underscore this point, Long explained the results of the health screening for her husband, who had also attempted to donate blood at the same time she did. He, too, was rejected. The screening revealed that he had anemia. As he had been scheduled for surgery, this warning gave him enough time to improve his health in time to have the operation.
Based on these experiences, Long advised: “I encourage everyone to help their neighbors and potentially their own family members down the road by giving blood.”
As for herself, Long is more determined than ever to donate blood. “Apparently, you have to have the pacemaker in for six months before you can give – but I’ll keep trying! Oh yes!”
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To donate blood and receive free health screening, contact the Red Cross at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.
If you donate during March 2025, you will receive A1C testing in addition to screening for pulse, hemoglobin, and blood pressure.
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